Strauss Emperor Waltz

For many years, Willi Boskovsky led the Vienna Philharmonic during the famous New Year's concerts. Violinist and conductor, he had this "Viennese Blood" essential to understand the music of Strauss and know how to mark the dynamics in the most accurate way. Although recorded many years ago (60' and 70') the recording was thoroughly remastered, giving us a fresh sound clarity as if it was recorded during last year's New Year's Concert. The CD includes the most famous waltzes by Johann Strauss (the Blue Danube, Emperor Waltz, Tales of the Vienna Woods…), along with 2 other ones written by his younger brother Joseph (Spharenklange and Dorschwalben aus Ostorreich).

If one disc of waltzes, marches, and polkas by the Strauss family is too little and all their waltzes, marches, and polkas are too much, this five-disc Decca set should be just enough. Featuring former concertmaster turned waltz master Willi Boskovsky on the podium and the Wiener Philharmoniker in the pit, these performances are elegantly conducted, stylishly played, and idiomatically performed. Boskovsky knows exactly how to phrase a theme, accent a rhythm, and bend a tempo to keep the music eminently danceable. The Viennese players respond to him and the music with an effortless enthusiasm and appealing affection that make their performances nearly impossible to resist.

Outstanding performances of de Falla's, Granados and Albeniz's works.Unmistakable quality of a past standard of excellence that is hardly matched today.Rodzinski's austere conducting and his vitality and precision refined and developed some of the major orchestras of the time.These Rodzinski's memorable recordings include the Maestro's farewell to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his last recording session for Westminster.