R. Strauss: Salome

Advantages: Great sampler, excellent recording.
Disadvantages: Not quite as memorable as being there in person.

...conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and 2001 marked Mikolaus Harnoncourt's début at the conductors podium, although he has previously played the 'Cello in the VPO in previous New Year's Concerts. Whilst the Radetzkymarsch is always played, and indeed a New Year's Concert without the Radetzkymarsch would be like leaving "Jerusalem" or "Land of Hope and Glory" out of the running order of the Last Night of the Proms, this CD features a lot of slightly less known music. There is as ever a large proportion of Strauß in the performance, with Johann Strauß I's Radetzkymarsch opening the CD, and a different arrangement of it on a Bonus CD. To celebrate the bicentenary of Joseph Lanner, the programme also contains his "Die Schönbrunner", "Jägers Lust" and "Steyrische Tänze", which are typical of the Waltzing tradition that Lanner and Johann... Read review

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Advantages: Every tune's a winner
Disadvantages: Nothing new

...Brahms Germany Strauss, R Germany Mahler Germany Offenbach Germany Liszt Hungary Rossini Italy Vivaldi Italy Puccini Italy Einaudi Italy Verdi Italy Grieg Norway Shostakovich Russia Mussorgsky Russia Rachmaninov Russia Rimsky-Korsakov Russia Stravinsky Russia Borodin Russia Tchaikovsky Russia Prokofiev Russia Nyman UK Holst UK Tavener UK Britten UK Elgar UK Rutter UK Williams US Copland US Gershwin US Preisner ? How many names did you recognise? Probably most of them! You would imagine that most of "the world's greatest composers" had long lain in their graves (dare I say, decomposing…), But, in fact, a handful of them are young and consulting their muses as I type. Michael Nyman, for example, wrote the haunting soundtrack to the film "The Piano", and Tavener has become very popular in recent years for his dramatic and ultimately accessible... Read review

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Advantages: Witty lyrics, sparkling music
Disadvantages: None

...Die Fledermaus: The Bat Composer: Johann Strauss ll Lyrics: Carl Haffner and Richard Genee Conductor: John Owen Edwards Orchestra: D'Oyly Carte Opera Orchestra Performer: D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus Label: Sony Classics Released: October 1, 1995 Number of Discs: 2 Cost: £27.99 The Composer Johann Strauss ll was born in Vienna on 25th October 1825 the eldest son of Johann Strauss a renowned violinist and composer. Johann Strauss junior was also a violinist. In 1844, he gathered together his own orchestra with himself as conductor and composer. Working in opposition to his father who disapproved. In 1849 on the death of his father, the two Strauss orchestras were combined. Strauss is best known for his Waltzes including The Beautiful Blue Danube. He also composed 17 operettas including Die Fledermaus in 1874. The Opera: A Musical... Read review

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