Celebrate the dawn of a new year with the timeless elegance of Johann Strauss II, as his iconic compositions take center stage in this spectacular concert album. Recorded live in Vienna, this collection captures the essence of the New Year's Concert tradition, featuring the incomparable Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of the renowned Riccardo Muti. This is Muti's seventh time conducting the New Year's Concert, bringing his unparalleled expertise and passion to the performance.
Marking the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II's birth, this album is a testament to his enduring legacy and the enduring appeal of his music. From the exhilarating "Radetzky March" to the enchanting "Blue Danube Waltz," each piece is a masterclass in musical craftsmanship and charm. The concert opens with a tribute to Johann Strauss I, setting the stage for a journey through the rich tapestry of the Strauss family's musical heritage.
With a duration of over three hours, this album is a comprehensive exploration of Johann Strauss II's most beloved works, including polkas, marches, waltzes, and operatic excerpts. Highlights include the lively "Pizzicato Polka," the dramatic "Entry of the Gladiators," and the iconic "Can-Can" from "Orpheus in the Underworld." The album also features selections from Strauss's operettas and ballets, showcasing his versatility and innovation.
The concert culminates in a grand finale with the "Europa Hymn," based on Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," symbolizing unity and hope for the new year. This album is not just a collection of songs but a celebration of music, culture, and the enduring spirit of the New Year's Concert tradition. Whether you're a longtime fan of Johann Strauss II or discovering his music for the first time, this album is a treasure trove of musical delights that will enchant and inspire.
Radetzky-Marsch, Op. 228Johann Strauss I, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Auf der Jagd, Polka, Op. 373 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op. 214Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Orpheus in the Underworld: Can-Can - LiveJacques Offenbach, Wiener Philharmoniker, Lorin Maazel
La Gioconda / Act 3: Dance Of The HoursAmilcare Ponchielli, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Entry Of The GladiatorsJulius Fučík, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Serenade for String Orchestra in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48: IIa. Walzer: Moderato (Tempo di valse)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Fidelio, Op. 72: OvertureLudwig van Beethoven, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Ferenc Fricsay
Má Vlast, JB1:112: 2. Vltava - ExcerptBedřich Smetana, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Kubelík
Cavalleria rusticana: IntermezzoPietro Mascagni, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Herbert von Karajan
Pizzicato PolkaJohann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Unter Donner und Blitz, Polka, Op. 324 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Perpetuum mobile, Op. 257 - Recorded 1966Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Swan Lake (Suite), Op. 20a, TH 219: 3. Danse des petits cygnesPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine
Eljen a Magyar, Op. 332Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Chickens In Their ShellsModest Mussorgsky, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini
Annen-Polka, Op. 117 (Arr. Richard Atzler)Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
The Tale of Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee (Arr. Feygin for String Orchestra)Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Irina Saizewa, Violin Ensemble of the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Julij Rejentowitsch
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, TH.14 / Act 1: No. 2 MarchPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, TH.14 / Act 2: No. 14c Pas de deux: Variation II (Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, TH.14 / Act 2: No. 12d Character Dances: Trépak (Russian Dance)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, TH.14 / Act 2: No. 12c Character Dances: Tea (Chinese Dance)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
Persischer Marsch, Op. 289 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Sylvia, Suite: 3. PizzicatiLéo Delibes, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Leichtes Blut, Polka schnell, Op. 319 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Zar und Zimmermann, LoWV 38 / Act 3: Ballett (Holzschuhtanz)Albert Lortzing, Bamberger Symphoniker, Hans Gierster
Postillon d'amour, Polka, Op. 317Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Les Sylphides (Orch. Douglas): VII. Waltz No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2Frédéric Chopin, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 5 in G Minor (Orch. Schmeling)Johannes Brahms, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
20 Waltzes (Letzte Waltzer) D 146, Op. 127: Valse (Ländler) No. 12Franz Schubert, Gil Shaham, Göran Söllscher
Faust, CG 4 / Act 2: WaltzCharles Gounod, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Voices of Spring, Op. 410 (Frühlingsstimmen) - LiveJohann Strauss II, Wiener Philharmoniker, Lorin Maazel
Ball SceneJoseph Hellmesberger, Jr., Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Europa Hymn "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 (EU Anthem)Ludwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, TrV 227 / Act I: IntroductionRichard Strauss, Staatskapelle Dresden, Karl Böhm
Egyptischer Marsch, Op. 335 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Sphärenklänge Waltz, Op. 235 - Recorded 1969Josef Strauss, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Morgenblätter Waltz, Op. 279Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Valse des fleursPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Die Fledermaus: OvertureJohann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Aufforderung zum Tanz, Op. 65 (Orch. Berlioz)Carl Maria von Weber, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Delirien Waltz, Op. 212 - Recorded 1969Josef Strauss, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Wiener Blut, Waltz, Op. 354 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Kaiserwalzer, Op. 437Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Overture "Coriolan", Op. 62Ludwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68: I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande: Allegro ma non troppoLudwig van Beethoven, Orchestre de Paris, Rafael Kubelík
Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93: II. Allegretto scherzandoLudwig van Beethoven, The Cleveland Orchestra, Rafael Kubelík
Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major, Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro vivaceLudwig van Beethoven, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Rafael Kubelík
Johann Strauss II, born in Vienna in 1825, is renowned as one of the most celebrated composers of light music and dance music of the 19th century. Known affectionately as "The Waltz King," Strauss II's compositions, which include over 500 waltzes, polkas, and operettas, have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. His most famous works, such as "The Blue Danube," "Kaiser-Walzer," and the operetta "Die Fledermaus," continue to captivate audiences with their infectious melodies and lively rhythms. Strauss II's virtuosity as a violinist and his dynamic leadership of Europe's finest salon orchestras further cemented his legacy as a master of his craft. His music, characterized by its elegance and joyous spirit, transcends time, making him a beloved figure in the classical music canon.
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Johann Strauss II
