Symphonia Domestica, Op. 53, is a tone poem for large orchestra by Richard Strauss. The work is a musical reflection of the secure domestic life so valued by the composer himself and, as such, harmoniously conveys daily events and family life. History and composition In 1898, Strauss became the chief conductor of the Royal Court Opera in Berlin. It was at this point in his life that the composer took a keen interest in his own circumstances and turned his attention to his status and personal history. When he began composing the Symphonia Domestica, he intended it to be the sequel to Ein Heldenleben, the next installment of the autobiography of the now-successful artist. He worked on the piece during 1903, finishing it on New Year's Eve, in Charlottenburg. The piece is scored for piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, oboe d'amore, English horn, clarinet in D, 3 clarinets (2 in B, 1 in A), bass clarinet in B, 4 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 saxophones (soprano in C, alto in F, baritone in F, bass in C) that are ad libitum (optional)), 8 horns in F, 4 trumpets in F and C, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, triangle, cymbals, glockenspiel, 2 harps, and strings. Structure The program of the work reflects the simplicity of the subject matter. After the whole extended family (including the aunts and uncles) has been introduced, the parents are heard alone with their child. The next section is a three-part adagio which begins with the husband's activities. The clock striking 7 a.m. launches the finale. The most detailed exposition of the work's structure is that which was provided for the Berlin Philharmonic's performance on 12 December 1904. On that occasion, the concert programme carried the following outline: I. Introduction and development of the chief groups of themes The husband's themes (F major): (a) Easy-going () (b) Dreamy () (c) Surly () (d) Fiery () The wife's themes (B major): (a) Lively and gay () (b) Grazioso The child's theme (D minor): Tranquil () II. Scherzo Parents' happiness. Childish play. Cradle song [quotation from Felix Mendelssohn's "Venetian Boat Song", Op. 19b, No. 6 from Songs Without Words] (The clock strikes seven in the evening). III. Adagio Doing and thinking. Love scene. Dreams and cares (the clock strikes seven in the morning). IV. Finale Awakening and merry dispute (double fugue). Joyous confusion. I. Thema II. Thema Performance Strauss reserved