Written in 1944/45, Metamorphosen for strings has been the object of interpretations seeking to identify various levels of meaning, from a possible statement of mourning for the decline of the German nation, to the identification of R. Strauss with Goethe’s poetry and with Beethoven’s music.  The poetic influence on the romantic symphonic ideal is thus an important element in this programme, in which the Estonian baritone Lauri Vasar will give voice to Mahler’s close relationship with poetry. Metamorphosen marks the transition to a collection of Strauss Lieder, performed by French soprano Sabine Devieilhe, winner of two Victoires de la Musique in 2018.