The music depicts the death of an artist. At Strauss's request, this was described in a poem by the composer's friend Alexander Ritter as an interpretation of Death and Transfiguration, after it was composed. As the man lies dying, thoughts of his life pass through his head: his childhood innocence, the struggles of his manhood, the attainment of his worldly goals; and at the end, he receives the longed-for transfiguration "from the infinite reaches of heaven".

Original Name Tod und Verklärung
Date of composition 1889 (1888-1889)
Premiered 1890, June 21st in Eisenach, Germany by Richard Strauss
First published 1891
Type Symphonic Poem
Catalogue TrV 158
Approx. duration 24 minutes
Instruments Orchestra
Autotranslations beta Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, TrV 158
Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, TrV 158
Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, TrV 158