Strauss: Famous Waltzes, Polkas And Marches, Vol. 2

1. Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales from the Vienna Woods), waltz for orchestra, Op. 325 (RV 325)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
2. Auf der Jagd (Off to the Hunt), schnellpolka for orchestra, Op. 373 (RV 373)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
3. Du und Du (You and You), waltz for orchestra, Op. 367 (RV 367)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
4. Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning), polka schnell for orchestra, Op. 324 (RV 324)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
5. Künstler-Leben (Artists' Life), waltz for orchestra, Op. 316 (RV 316)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
6. Schatz-Walzer (Treasure Waltz), for orchestra, Op. 418
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
7. Wein, Weib und Gesang (Wine, Women and Song), waltz for orchestra (with voice ad lib), Op. 333 (RV 333)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
8. Bahn frei!, polka schnell, Op. 45
Composed by Eduard Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
9. Sphärenklänge Waltzes for orchestra, Op 235
Composed by Josef Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
10. Accelerationen, waltz for orchestra, Op. 234 (RV 234)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
11. Radetsky-Marsch for orchestra, Op. 228
Composed by Johann I Strauss
Performed by Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

An Der Schonen Blauen Donau (Walzer) - CSR Symphony Orchestra
Indigo Und Die 40 Rauber (Overture) - Alfred Walter
Wo Die Citronen Bluh'n (Walzer), Op.364 - Alfred Walter
Pizzicato Polka - CSR Symphony Orchestra
Tausendundeine Nacht (Walzer) - CSR Symphony Orchestra
Die Fledermaus (Quadrille) - Alfred Walter
Fruhlingsstimmen (Walzer) - CSR Symphony Orchestra
Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka - CSR Symphony Orchestra
Morgenblatter (Walzer) - Johannes Wildner

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Bag.......2005-06-05

There are many better renditions of the “Blue Danube” on the market than this rather smooth and uncontured one from Slovakia, so if you are merely looking for this Strauss super-hit, it would be advisable to go elsewhere (try Willy Boskovsky with the Vienna Philharmonic on Decca). But taken as a whole, this is still quite a pleasing disc, the nine numbers here having been, as I can only assume, culled from the Complete Johann Strauss Edition published by Marco Polo at full-price. The CSR Symphony Orchestra, directed by Ondrej Lenard, makes up for the uninspired opening with fair renditions of the “Pizzicato Polka” and the “Tausendundeine Nacht” waltz, followed later by acceptable versions of “Frühlingsstimmen” and the “Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka”. The playing is not always brilliant, but the overall impression is quite good, especially as the recorded sound is better than on a lot of early Naxos discs (the recordings here were made in 1988 and 1989): if you listen at a slightly higher volume than usual, you will notice that there is much detail captured, with some excellent bass, and only occasionally does the empty recording venue lead to that “cavernous” sound that is so often heard on Naxos. One of the most interesting pieces on this disc is the Overture to Strauss’ opera “Indigo und die 40 Räuber”, here played by the CSSR State Philharmonic from Kosice, directed by Alfred Walter. I have had occasion in the past to criticize Kosice recordings for Naxos, but here both the playing and the sound are superior to the Bratislava CSR SO; the Quadrille from “Die Fledermaus” is also given a spirited rendering by the same orchestra, and it is only the waltz “Wo die Citronen blüh’n” which fails to deliver the excitement that one can expect from Strauss. The last piece on the disc, the “Morgenblätter” (morning newspapers!), is here played by the Polish State Philharmonic, directed by Johannes Wildner, in a more than acceptable rendition in an acoustic that is obviously better than at either of the two Slovakian venues. All in all a mixed bag that can give a good deal of pleasure without in any way being ideal.