Customer Reviews

Johann Strauss: Aschenbrödel

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I have to say, that before browsing Amazon.com, I had never heard of Johann Strauss II's attempts to write a ballet. I have recordings the the 1987, 2003, '04, '06, '07, '08, and '09 New Year's Concerts live from Vienna as well as a rare recording by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I purchased "Aschenbrodel" for $11.45 on Amazon and couldn't wait for its arival!

The music itself is typical Strauss; full of wit, vitality and irresistable melodies. I find his music to be most enjoyable and this ballet is just as memorable as his most famous waltzes.

The sound is near perfect! Honestly, it is as you are sitting in the concert hall. Richard Bonynge is noted for his interpretation and recordings of ballets, some of them unheard of. This performance with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of London is absolutely no exception.

I cannot complain about this recording whatsoever. The music if simply fantastic, the recorded sound is top-notch and Bonynge's interpretation is flawless, as expected. Well worth your money!

Bonynge has become in the course of the years an authority in ballet music he has gone digging all over with sensational results.
You must have his double cd packs with Overtures and Ballet of the 19th century and also Handel Overtures-Overtures of the 18th Century and finally the 10cd box set Fete du Ballet, this to limit your quest for the discoveries only that is. Otherwise go for the Ballet Masterpieces (35cd) where you get the more "official" efforts so to say. To stay on this work, I like it even if I find Bonynge more in tune with the french music he has been revealing us for the past 40 years, nevertheless glad I bought it.

This CD is an absolute delight. Rich and full as only Bonynge can make an orchestra sound. Strauss with a plus. His only ballet, finished after his death with bits from his other works woven into the unfinished bits.
If you like Strauss, you will love this CD. Definitely my favourite, and a joy to get on CD as I only had it on vinyl, which doesn't get much airing these days.
I would highly recommend this rare recording.
Barbara D

Johann Strauss, Jr., was know as "The Waltz King" because of the many beautiful, and often quite popular, waltzes he wrote over several decades of the 19th century -- including the enormously famous Blue Danube waltz. Strauss also wrote several operettas -- including the very popular Die Fledermaus -- many of which contained short ballet segments. But it is not commonly known that towards the end of his life Strauss was persuaded to write a complete ballet which he called Aschenbrodel (Cinderella). Regrettably, this lovely tuneful ballet by the great Waltz King has become almost completely forgotten. Fortunately, Richard Bonynge -- a conductor famous for his love, and frequent revival, of oscure ballet and opera masterpieces of the 19th century -- has recorded Aschenbrodel and made it available on CD. As usual Bonynge's conducting is outstanding and does full justice to this nearly forgetten gem. If you like this sort of music, please buy it while it is still available.