��ѿ��ý

Available for 26 days

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 ��ѿ��ý Audio Wales & West