Vienna

Johann II [Junior] Strauss (Composer), Carl Maria von Weber (Composer), Josef Strauss (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Fritz Reiner (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Fritz Reiner
• Composer: Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Carl Maria von Weber, Josef Strauss, Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (September 12, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA / BMG
• ASIN: B000003FWH
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,700 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #60 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Polkas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable Music, March 17, 2001

By 

Nicki Henderson (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vienna (Audio CD)

I first heard this recording as a child. I was extremely happy to find it has been released on a CD as my album was very worn. The music is fabulous and each song will have the listener humming its refrain for days. Truly a wonderful CD, the clarity and composition is to be commended. I highly recommend this CD to those who love Strauss or to those who simply want to hear THE best version of the Blue Danube every recorded.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Luscious sounds, marvelous execution, but Reiner is pretty chilly, January 5, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Vienna (Audio CD)

This is the most restrained Strauss collection I've ever run across, which should spell death for music meant to make the dancers giddy. Reiner refuses to go near giddy. His Blue Danube and Emperor waltzes in particularl beg to break out of the traces but never do. What saves them is, first, the utterly clear, luscious sound of the recording, one of the best from RCA Living Stereo, and second, the meticulous inner detail that Reiner finds in each work.

This generous CD (77 min.) combines two recording sessions from 1957 and 1960. Besides Josef and Johann Strauss, we get a waltz suite from Der Rosenkavalier and Weber's Invitation to the Dance, both from the earlier session. The Weber never reaches escape velocity, unfortunately, despite the amazingly dainty articulation of the Chicago Sym. winds. The Rosenkavalier assemblage--arranged by Reiner himself--is not equal to the composer's own, and again Reiner favors precision over energy.

Just in case he was holding back for some unknown reason (a rather tough worm in his little inside?), one can check the four Johann Strauss waltzes recorded in 1960. No, they are just as underpowered but also just as stylish, refined, and poised as the first set. All this gorgeous politeness gets tiring when the corset is wound so tight, but if you can find fulfillment in Strauss without fire, this is a five-star recording.

5.0 out of 5 stars So Much Fun, August 17, 2011

By 

Nik "Nik C." (Brooklyn, N.Y. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vienna (Audio CD)

The music here is so much fun. I heard one of the pieces on wqxr and had to have it. The song made me want to get up and dance. It was so lively. The entire cd is this way. It makes me day dream about people in beautiful gowns and suits twirling across grand ballrooms. The sound is crisp and truly astounding. Fritz Reiners take on these pieces are so enjoyable. Definately recommended. Enjoy!