"If I'm not mistaken, most of the pieces were recorded originally live during a 1984 New Year's Concert conducted by Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic playing in its grand concert hall, the Musikverein. Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic have had a longstanding relationship dating from the 1960's, and without question, this CD does rank among my favorite New Year's Concert performances (However, the most mesmerizing ones I've heard have been those with the late Carlos Kleiber and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.) for the superb quality of the Vienna Philharmonic's playing. Maazel leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in some of the most popular works composed by the Strauss family, most notably Johann II Strauss' Tales from the Vienna Woods Waltz, Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Blue Danube Waltz and his father's Radetzky March, which traditionally closes out the annual New Year's Concert. Fans of the Strauss family, Vienna Philharmonic and Lorin Maazel, will not be disappointed with this excellent two CD compilation."
Amazing truly Amazing
johann strauss | 05/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 2 CD is amazing. It is great for plane rides and other things. I always listen to it at work. Allmost every song on this CD is beautiful and graceful. The blue danube is a classic and my personal favorite song on this album. Some of the songs are okay but none are bad. Overall this is an amazing 2 CD collection and it is worth every cent of your money . . ."
Great Music as usual
scarlatti11 | Killeen, TX United States | 10/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is great recording,
I enjoy listening to it
veru much. This is a
compilation of all the
favorite waltzes by
the Strauss family, that
one might hear at a
New Year's eve concert
of the Vienna Philharmonic...
All waltzes and Polkas are
favorites of audiences everywhere
in the world..."
Love this 2-CD from Vienna Philharmonic!
Gregory J. Hauptman | Bakersfield, California | 01/31/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My favorite collection of perfectly choreographed Johann Strauss ll as well as his father Johann Strauss, and his brother Josepf. Johann ll gets top billing.
This is one of my better investments of the most beautiful music you will ever hear (waltzes and polkas).
I can't get enough. Highly Recommended! I have purchased many as gifts to family & friends."
Wonderful!!!!
Rosa Gurny | NY USA | 10/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD as well, it has all the most popular music numbers of the time. It is just fabulous. I received my CD within days of ordered. I couldn't be happier. My family and I dance all week to Strauss. This is the CD you must have. It is just wonderful to dance to and to listen to. Strauss in his lifetime was known as "The Waltz King", and was largely responsible for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century. This CD will tell you that he was indeed the King.