Richard Strauss spent nearly a decade-and-a-half on An Alpine Symphony. The work describes the impressions of a hike in the mountains with such clarity that the score could almost be considered film music without a film. The premiere of Don Juan in Weimar, on 11 November 1898, was a huge success. It established the reputation of the 24-year-old Strauss as the most important composer since Richard Wagner.

François–Xavier Roth is one of the most charismatic and enterprising conductors of his generation. In September 2011 he took on the role of Principal Conductor of the SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg with his debut at the Donaueschinger Musiktage – clearly signalizing the importance of new music for him. In his work with the SWR Sinfonieorchester he also emphasizes Pierre Boulez and Richard Strauss, John Cage and Beethoven, among others.