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German composer and conductor of the late Romantic and early modern eras, renowned for his operas, tone poems, and lieder. Child prodigy who composed at age six. Premiered major works by 20. Revolutionized orchestral writing with tone poems like 'Don Juan' and 'Also sprach Zarathustra'. Later focused on operas, including scandalous 'Salome'. Served as President of the Reichsmusikkammer under Nazis but later denounced. Composed until death at 85.

• His 1905 opera 'Salome' caused uproar for its biblical eroticism and dissonance; Emperor Wilhelm II reportedly said it would 'do him harm'.
• Initially cooperated with Nazi regime (1933-1935) but was forced to resign after protecting Jewish daughter-in-law. His 'silent resistance' included refusing to remove Jewish librettists' names from works.
• Married volatile soprano Pauline de Ahna in 1894; their famously tempestuous marriage inspired his comic opera 'Intermezzo'.
• Composed his transcendent 'Four Last Songs' at age 84 while grieving post-WWII exile, unaware they'd become his swan song.
• Died of kidney failure in 1949; final words allegedly were 'death is just as I composed it in 'Death and Transfiguration''.