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Highs and Lows

Donald Macleod explores the final years of Strauss’ life when he was lauded as a celebrity figure wherever he went, but also endured personal losses and difficulties.

Donald Macleod explores the final years of Strauss’ life when he was lauded as a celebrity figure wherever he went, but also endured personal losses and difficulties.

In the composer’s 200th anniversary year, Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Johann Strauss II, who became so popular for his operettas and Viennese waltzes that he would be dubbed “The Waltz King”. In his time his huge popularity was akin to a pop star or Hollywood film icon today, and his music filled the ballrooms of Europe and America. Over the course of the week, we’ll see how he made his name, and overcame setbacks to become one of the most famous figures in all of Europe.

In Friday’s programme, Donald explores the final years of Strauss’ life when he was lauded as a celebrity figure wherever he went – an 1890 poll to find the most popular European personalities saw him come 3rd! However, it was a period during which he also endured personal losses and difficulties. Donald finds him visiting America to conduct an extraordinary series of concerts, writing a full scale opera, and marrying for a second, and then a third time.

Thunder and Lightning Polka, Op 324
Vienna Volksoper Orchestra
Carl Michalski, conductor

The Blue Danube, Op 314
Andre Rieu, violin and director
Johann Strauss Orchestra

Blinde Kuh Overture
Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra
Willi Boskovsky, conductor

Kuss Waltzer, Op 400
Vienna Philharmonic
Franz Weilser-Möst, conductor

Ritter Pasman, Op 441 (Czardas)
Vienna Philharmonic
Christian Thielemann, conductor

Jabuka (excerpt)
Veronika Groiss, soprano (Jelka)
Thomas Tischler, tenor (Mirko)
Elisabeth Wolfbauer, mezzo-soprano (Annita)
Wolfgang Veith, tenor (Vasil)
Brno Gaudeamus Choir
European Johann Strauss Orchestra
Christian Pollack, conductor

Roses from the South
Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for ѿý Audio Wales & West

26 days left to listen

59 minutes

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Friday 16:00

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Music Played

  • Johann Strauss II

    Thunder and Lightning, Op 324

    Orchestra: Orchester der Wiener Volksoper. Conductor: Carl Michalski.
    • DENON : 19849.
    • DENON.
    • 3.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Blue Danube, Op 314

    Conductor: André Rieu. Orchestra: Johann Strauss Orchestra Of Vienna.
    • POLYDOR : 4759622.
    • POLYDOR :.
    • 10.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Blind Man's Bluff Overture

    Orchestra: Johann Strauss Orchestra Of Vienna. Conductor: Willi Boskovsky.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 2435756765.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 4.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Kuss Waltz, Op 400

    Conductor: Franz Welser‐Möst. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 88765411632.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 2.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Ritter Pasman, Op 441 (Csardas)

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Christian Thielemann.
    • SONY : 19075902822.
    • SONY.
    • 13.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Jabuka (excerpt)

    Singer: Veronika Groiss. Singer: Thomas Tischler. Singer: Elisabeth Wolfbauer. Singer: Wolfgang Veith. Choir: Brno Gaudeamus Choir. Orchestra: European Johann Strauss Orchestra.
    • NAXOS : 8.660216-17.
    • NAXOS.
    • 5.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Roses from the South, Op 388

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 410-0222.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Friday 16:00

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