Strauss, J, II: An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 (The Blue Danube Waltz)

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

Everyone attaches particular importance to the music for their wedding ceremony. It is, after all, the key ingredient essential for intensifying the emotional level of a very special day which is to be shared not only by the happy couple but also with all their guests. Choosing the music for one’s wedding is an intimate thing, a second declaration of love between bride and groom. But it is also a bid to express and convey to the young couple’s nearest and dearest, who will be present with them at the wedding, all those feelings of joy and love which cannot be expressed by a mere exchange of "I do’s" and of rings.

And so, whatever your musical tastes and temperament and no matter how you choose to say "I love you" or "I do", you’ll find music to suit you on this double album: from favourite classics to rare gems of the repertoire, from music for festive occasions to more intimate, soulful and reflective melodies, this compilation brings together the most beautiful masterpieces to help you make your wedding an occasion of pure emotion and shared happiness and ensure that you never forget the most beautiful day of your life.

In the 1950s, Leopold Stokowski made a series of splendid LPs with a specially-selected orchestra of top-flight musicians. One of these was entitled "Landmarks of a Distinguished Career." It featuring pieces he had earlier recorded on best-selling 78s and included The Blue Danube Waltz. His previous recordings of this piece were abridged to fit the older discs side-lengths but for his 1957 stereo remake all the repeats were observed. However, only now is it making its official debut on CD. Stokowski wrote: "Although Johann Strauss's Blue Danube Waltz is light music, it is first class of its kind, a perfect picture of the gaiety of Vienna in his day, and a thing of joy forever." In his notes to this CD, Robert Matthew-Walker writes: "Stokowski's performance of the complete score raises it to the level of a short tone-poem, removed from the ballroom into the concert hall." It raises the curtain on a selection of beautifully played string pieces, recorded during the same period, and includes Borodin's Nocturne as arranged by Stokowski's fellow-conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent.

Classical Music doesn’t get much more exciting than this! With the help of wonderful music (some familiar, some new) this collection encourages children to experience the fantastic array of world music styles and colourful portrayals of foreign lands in Classical Music. Featuring music from Debussy, Johann Strauss II, Copland and many others this selection will have kids thrilled with recreations of the American Wild West, learning the Jamaican Rumba, waltzing in Vienna and exploring the Steppes of Central Asia!

A fully illustrated 44 page booklet presents an adventure-filled journey around the world challenging the reader to listen, see and recreate the wonders of the countries they visit. The text is designed to be read either by an older child of 5 or 6 or with an adult for the younger children. The writer is Sarah Breeden noted for the fun and informative programmes she has written for the BBC Children’s Proms.

This collection encourages children to get up and moving! Featuring the best dance music in the Classical world this compilation will keep little ears occupied, exercise their bodies and challenge their imagination and memory. The collection features music from Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Grieg and Wagner and is carefully paced to build up the movement levels and expose children to many different dance styles, rhythms and tempos as possible.

As the 19th century faded and the 20th century began, something special was in the air: the scent of decadence mingled with the thrill of the new.

Moving from Romanticism to Modernism, creative spirits welcomed diverse influences – some of them exotic – and introduced new textures and colours to their work. Whether first heard in Paris, Vienna or London, the music of the Belle Époque was typically sensuous, elegant and perfumed – and full of subtle delights.

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

Just in time for the New Year festivities, we have a New Year Gala Concert of the music that the Viennese play best. The concert includes favourites such as Strauss’ Radetsky March, On the Beautiful Blue Danube and Emperor Waltz, as well as Lumbye’s Champagne Galop.