Harnoncourt’s waltzes

Nikolaus Harnoncourt: “Waltzer Revolution”

This is an album of lively waltzes and other dance music, consummately performed by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Concentus Musicus Wien. While Mr. Harnoncourt has been part of Vienna’s musical scene for many years, I had heard him mainly as an interpreter of the classics and of Bruckner. Oh, yes… he did lead the Vienna Philharmonic some years back in their annual New Year’s concert.

On this new album, “Walzer Revolution”, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Concentus Musicus Wien turn their attention to a selection of dances by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Josef Lanner and Johann Strauss the Elder himself, in order to show us a new interpretation in the spirit intended by these composers.

Lanner:

Pas de neuf nach Saverio Mercadante, WoO
Sehnsuchts-Mazur, Op. 89
Hansjörgl-Polka
Malapou-Galopp, Op. 148, No. 1
Hexentanzwalzer, Op. 203
Marsch (from the ballet Corso Donati)
Cerrito-Polka, Op. 189
Jagers Lust (Jagd-Galopp), Op. 82
Die Schönbrunner Waltzer, Op. 200

Mozart:

Kontretanz, KV603, No. 1
Contredanse, K609 No. 1
Contredanse, K609 No. 4
Six German Dances K571

Strauss, J, I:

Radetsky March, Op. 228
Erste Kettenbrücke-Walzer, Op. 4
Schäfer-Quadrille, Op. 217
Der Carneval in Paris, Galopp, Op. 100 (The Carnival in Paris)
Walzer (a la Paganini), Op. 11

Performed by the Concentus Musicus Wien, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Mr. Harnoncourt succeeds in making this dance music an authentic listening experience because of his commitment to the authentic original orchestration.

Here is Mr. Harnoncourt conducting Johann Strauss’ “Fledermaus”

 

And here is Harnoncourt rehearsing Beethoven; Amusing…

 

Tags: Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien, Walzer Revolution

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