This 3 CD set contains a collection of 50 waltzes and polkas performed by some of the world’s leading orchestras including the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Wiener Johann Strauss-Orchester, under conductors such as Herbert von Karajan, Mariss Jansons, Riccardo Muti and Willi Boskovsky.

CD 1 begins with a group of the most popular and best-loved waltzes by the ‘Waltz King’ of Vienna, Johann Strauss II. Titles heard here include ‘An der schönen, blauen Donau (Blue Danube)’ ’Künstlerleben (Artist’s Life)’, ’G’schichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales from the Vienna Woods)’ ’Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood)’ and ’Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz). The disc also includes two sensuous waltzes by Offenbach from La vie Parisienne and La Périchole and the waltz from Act I of the ballet Coppélia by Delibes

CD 2 is also devoted to the waltz, opening with ‘Les Patineurs (The Skaters)’ by Waldteufel. Other familiar pieces heard here include ‘Over the Waves’ by Rosas, the Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s ballet Sleeping Beauty and the magnificent ‘Gold und Silber (Gold and Silver)’ by Lehár. The CD ends with the characteristic ‘Danube Waves’ by Ivanovici.

CD 3 introduces us to the polka, with delightful examples by three members of the Strauss family: Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss. Many of these pieces will be familiar from the famous Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Day concerts regularly broadcast on television around the world, including ‘Leichtes Blut (Light as a Feather)’, ’Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning)’ and ’Im Krapfenwald'l (In Krapfen’s Woods)’.

Artists

Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris, Philharmonia Orchestra (musician), Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester, Johann Strauss II, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo, L'Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Philadelphia Orchestra, Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra, The Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Willi Boskovsky, Manuel Rosenthal, Herbert von Karajan, Jean-Baptiste Mari, Efrem Kurtz, Mariss Jansons, Sir Andrew Davis, Riccardo Muti, Dmitri Hochlov, Robert Irving, John Lanchbery