Celebrate the dawn of 2025 with the enchanting melodies of Johann Strauss II, as captured in this exquisite concert album, "2025 - A Concert for the New Year." This remarkable collection, released on December 31, 2024, under the UME - Global Clearing House label, is a testament to the enduring legacy of the "Waltz King" and his timeless compositions.
Spanning an impressive 3 hours and 26 minutes, this album features 97 tracks that showcase the breadth and depth of Johann Strauss II's musical genius. From the iconic "Blue Danube" waltz to the exhilarating "Radetzky March," each piece is a masterclass in classical composition, performed with unparalleled skill and passion.
The concert, conducted by the esteemed Maestro Riccardo Muti, marks a significant milestone: the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II's birth. This special occasion is celebrated with a selection of festive works, including waltzes, polkas, and other beloved pieces by the Strauss family. The album also includes performances by the renowned Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra, adding an extra layer of authenticity and richness to the experience.
Highlights of the album include the lively "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka," the enchanting "Serenade for String Orchestra," and the dramatic "Overture" from "Fidelio." The concert also features excerpts from famous operas and ballets, such as "Orpheus in the Underworld," "La Gioconda," and "Swan Lake," providing a diverse and captivating listening experience.
Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a delightful introduction to the world of Johann Strauss II. The meticulous attention to detail in the performances, combined with the historical significance of the concert, makes this album a standout addition to any music collection. So, as you ring in the new year, let the enchanting melodies of Johann Strauss II transport you to the golden age of classical music.
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, affectionately known as the "Waltz King," was an Austrian composer and violinist whose name is synonymous with the golden age of Viennese dance music. Born into a family of musicians, Strauss II defied his father's wishes for a non-musical career and followed his passion for composition, creating over 500 waltzes, polkas, and operettas that continue to enchant audiences worldwide. His most celebrated works, such as "The Blue Danube," "Kaiser-Walzer," and the operetta "Die Fledermaus," showcase his unparalleled ability to blend melody, rhythm, and harmony, making him a pivotal figure in the development of light classical music. Strauss II's music, characterized by its infectious energy and romantic charm, transcends time, offering a delightful journey through the opulent ballrooms and vibrant streets of 19th-century Vienna.
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Johann Strauss II
