Richard Strauss composed the Metamorphoses for 23 solo strings in 1945, under the impression of Germany destroyed after the war. The solo piece for string instruments is his last great orchestral work and was given its premiere on 25 January 1946 in Zürich under the direction of the dedicatee, Paul Sacher.

The Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra in D major is also one of the composer‘s late works, and was given its premiere one month after the Metamorphoses, also in Zürich.

It is performed here by a first-class ensemble, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and their solo oboist, Stefan Schilli.