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Donald Macleod explores how Johann Strauss II fared after his father’s death, driving himself relentlessly hard to try to establish himself as the pre-eminent musician in Vienna.

Donald Macleod explores how Johann Strauss II fared after his father’s death, driving himself relentlessly hard to try to establish himself as the pre-eminent musician in Vienna.

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 Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores how Johann Strauss II fared after his father’s death, driving himself relentlessly hard to try to establish himself as the pre-eminent musician in Vienna. In the wake of this unbearable workload, the composer falls ill, with one paper even reporting his death!

Fruhlingsstimmen, Op 410
Natalie Dessay, soprano
Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester
Michael Schønwandt, conductor

Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op 214
Orchestra of the Viennese Voilksoper
Alfred Scholz, conductor

Albion Polka, Op 102
Vienna Philharmonic
Riccardo Muti, conductor

Mephistos Hollenrufe, Waltz, Op 101
Vienna Philharmonic
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor

Liebeslieder, Op 114
Vienna Volksoper Orchestra
Cesare Cantieri, conductor

Phoenix-Schwingen Walzer, Op 125
Vienna Philharmonic
Daniel Barenboim, conductor

Myrthen-Kranze, Op 154
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Oliver von Dohnanyi, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for ѿý Audio Wales & West

24 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Johann Strauss II

    Fruhlingsstimmen, Op 410

    Singer: Natalie Dessay. Orchestra: Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Michael Schønwandt.
    • ERATO : 3633322.
    • ERATO.
    • 6.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op 214

    Orchestra: Orchester der Wiener Volksoper. Conductor: Alfred Scholz.
    • DENON : 419 938-2.
    • DENON.
    • 5.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Albion Polka, Op 102

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Riccardo Muti.
    • WARNER 5419720256.
    • WARNER.
    • 14.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Mephistos Hollenrufe Waltz, Op 101

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel.
    • SONY : 88985376152.
    • SONY.
    • 5.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Liebeslieder Waltz, Op 114

    Orchestra: Orchester der Wiener Volksoper. Conductor: Cesare Cantieri.
    • DENON : 17719.
    • DENON.
    • 9.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Phonixschwingen Waltz, Op 125

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Daniel Barenboim.
    • SONY : 19439962512.
    • SONY.
    • 2.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Myrthen-Kranze, Op 154

    Orchestra: Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Oliver von Dohnányi.
    • MARCO POLO : 8.223206-.
    • MARCO POLO.
    • 5.

Broadcast

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