Celebrate the start of the new year with a timeless collection of classical masterpieces from the legendary Johann Strauss II. "Happy New Year! Classical Hits" is a sprawling compilation of 93 enchanting tracks, meticulously curated to bring the joy and elegance of the classical era into your home. With a runtime of over three and a half hours, this album is a treasure trove of beloved compositions and hidden gems, all performed with the unparalleled finesse that Johann Strauss II is renowned for.
From the lively rhythms of "Auf der Jagd" and the iconic "Radetzky-Marsch" to the romantic waltzes like "Voices of Spring" and "An der schönen blauen Donau," this album showcases the breadth and depth of Strauss's musical genius. The collection also includes live performances and rare recordings, such as the 1969 renditions of "Auf der Jagd" and "Delirien Waltz," offering a unique glimpse into the enduring legacy of Strauss's music.
The album features a diverse range of genres within the classical spectrum, from polkas and marches to overtures and ballet suites. Highlights include the exhilarating "Entry of the Gladiators," the delicate "Serenade for String Orchestra," and the enchanting "Swan Lake" suite. With contributions from other classical greats like Dvořák, Offenbach, and Berlioz, this compilation is a celebration of the rich tapestry of classical music.
Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Happy New Year! Classical Hits" promises an unforgettable listening experience. Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and intricate compositions that have captivated audiences for generations. This album is the perfect way to ring in the new year with elegance, joy, and a touch of nostalgia.
Auf der Jagd, Polka, Op. 373 - Recorded 1969Johann Strauss II, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
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
Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op. 214Johann Strauss II, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Cavalleria rusticana: IntermezzoPietro Mascagni, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Herbert von Karajan
Radetzky-Marsch, Op. 228Johann Strauss I, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
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
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
Overture "Coriolan", Op. 62Ludwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
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
Tourbillon-Galopp op.142, No. 1 - Arr. Heinrich PekJoseph Lanner, Wiener Philharmoniker, John Eliot Gardiner
Schönfeld-Marsch op.422 - Arr. Martin UhlCarl Michael Ziehrer, Wiener Philharmoniker, John Eliot Gardiner
Fächer - polonaise Op. 525 - Arr. Max SchoenherrCarl Michael Ziehrer, Wiener Philharmoniker, John Eliot Gardiner
Sphärenklänge Waltz, Op. 235 - Recorded 1969Josef Strauss, 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
Accelerationen, Op. 234 - LiveJohann Strauss II, Wiener Philharmoniker, Lorin Maazel
Wo die Zitronen blüh'n, Op. 364Johann Strauss II, Berliner Symphoniker, Robert Stolz
Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388Johann Strauss II, Wiener Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
Freuet euch des Lebens, Waltz, Op. 340 - Live at Musikverein, Vienna, 1988Johann Strauss II, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World": IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco - ExcerptAntonín Dvořák, Berliner Philharmoniker, Rafael Kubelík
An American in Paris - ExcerptGeorge Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gaîté parisienne (Arr. Rosenthal): No. 23, Barcarolle (From Les contes d'Hoffmann)Jacques Offenbach, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
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
