Strauss, J, II: Unter Donner und Blitz, Op. 324 (Thunder & Lightning)

Performing the marvellous Les Plus Belles coupled with Valses de Vienne, the Orchestre de l’Opera de Vienne rise to the challenge wonderfully.

DVD and Blu-Ray will include a live version of the New Year’s Concert as well as bonus footage: A special tour through Vienna, guided by members of the Vienna Philharmonic plus 3 ballet bonus tracks.

Sony Classical is pleased to announce the release of the recording of one of the world’s most famous classical music events: the 2012 New Year’s Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic. Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons returns to direct the 2012 celebrations after his acclaimed debut in 2006. The live recording encompasses releases on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

The annual New Year's Day Concert in the stunning Vienna Musikverein has been an exalted tradition for more than seven decades, and the resulting recordings with works from the Strauss dynasty and their contemporaries are among the classical market's most important releases. The concert will be broadcast on TV and radio to over 70 countries around the world with an estimate of more than 40 million viewers.

The programme traditionally revolves around waltzes and polkas by the Strauss family (Johann father and son as well as Josef and Eduard Strauss) whose music has enjoyed a recent resurgence due to the success of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. In 2012 the programme is once again a skilful blend of well-known classics and six New Year’s Concert premieres. As always the concert is bound to end with two traditional encores – the famous waltz The Blue Danube and the Radetzky March.

“It is something quite special: a wonderful opportunity to listen to this music and get to know it. This atmosphere, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Golden Hall of the Musikverein – all that adds up to a long and wonderful tradition resulting in fantastic, very specific music.” Mariss Jansons

Sony Classical is pleased to announce the release of the recording of one of the world’s most famous classical music events: the 2012 New Year’s Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic. Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons returns to direct the 2012 celebrations after his acclaimed debut in 2006. The live recording encompasses releases on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

The annual New Year's Day Concert in the stunning Vienna Musikverein has been an exalted tradition for more than seven decades, and the resulting recordings with works from the Strauss dynasty and their contemporaries are among the classical market's most important releases. The concert will be broadcast on TV and radio to over 70 countries around the world with an estimate of more than 40 million viewers.

The programme traditionally revolves around waltzes and polkas by the Strauss family (Johann father and son as well as Josef and Eduard Strauss) whose music has enjoyed a recent resurgence due to the success of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. In 2012 the programme is once again a skilful blend of well-known classics and six New Year’s Concert premieres. As always the concert is bound to end with two traditional encores – the famous waltz The Blue Danube and the Radetzky March.

“It is something quite special: a wonderful opportunity to listen to this music and get to know it. This atmosphere, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Golden Hall of the Musikverein – all that adds up to a long and wonderful tradition resulting in fantastic, very specific music.” Mariss Jansons

A curious CD, for the silly season. Founded a few years ago on the initiative of five musicians rather bored by the usual daily routine, this ensemble resolved to fight against the irresistible torpor which rules over concert halls. Right from the first concerts (if we exclude the volley of stones of March 2004 and the hail of vegetables and over-ripe fruit on the occasion of a concert in Borgnasco in June last year), audiences have shown their appreciation for the performances of the five shady characters.The choice of programme, which ranges from New Age to refined classical, incursions into Afro Tribal Jazz and cerebral Neuro Swing, ensures a programmatic variety that can only satisfy all palates, from the refined to the boorish, in a mystical universal communion which makes every concert a miracle of ecumenical cosmopolitan harmony. Don’t be put off: this disc is tremendous fun and the Quintet play their socks off.

At four in the afternoon a single blast of cannon fire signals the opening of the gates of many a stately home in summer and thousands of picnickers pour into grounds, set up camp and prepare to listen to preordained set of classical hits.

This is a re-issue of an album first issued 1992 celebrating the years that Carl conducted Summer Concerts it is a unique collection of popular works presented in unfamiliar but stunning arrangements.

Finlandia is recorded adding a new choral arrangement with an fervently patriotic American text.

The 1812 Overture recorded with a choral arrangement using Tsarist text.

Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 sung with its ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ text.

Elgar’s outrageously elaborate arrangement of Parry’s Jerusalem.

The version of Souza’s Stars and Stripes March is arranged by David Cullen into an orchestral explosion.

Recorded in Abbey Road Studios this is a memorable album of Carl conducting Classical Festival Favourites.