Strauss, Johann - Famous Works

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All Regions - Regular 1.33:1 / 4:3 - Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround / Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - Colour - 90 Minutes - PAL

'His popularity is immense: in all parts of the world melodies by Johann Strauss can be heard and in our part of the world out of almost every house.'

Already in 1884 a Viennese critic wrote these words about a composer who like no other, was able to capture the atmosphere and tradition of the imperial city in his music: Johann Strauss, the famous waltz king. The DVD in hand is exclusively dedicated to Johann Strauss. His works are performed by an outstanding cast: the conductor Erich Leinsdorf (1912 - 1993), native Austrian, but spending most of his life in the United States, returned to his home country for this recording and took over the guidance of the cast. Standing by his side are famous soloists: soprano Helen Donath who originally came from America and made a big opera career in Europe and the German tenor Werner Hollweg. The repertoire is divided in two parts: it starts with a very mixed programme. Here, polkas, waltzes and the overture from the operetta 'Waldmeister' can be heard. Helen Donath performs the vocal versions of the waltz 'Voices of Spring' and the waltz 'The Queen's Lace Handkerchief' (also entitled 'Rosen aus dem Süden'), which are full of coloratures. In addition, excerpts from the operetta 'The Gypsy Baron' are staged - the overture, the 'Treasure Waltz', the march and the famous duet 'One day we were young'. Finally, Erich Leinsdorf announces the encore - to the great pleasure of the audience: it is the 'Emperor Waltz'.