Photo, Chris Christodoulou
Enjoyable, but an occasional lack of innate dancing rhythms, and artless rubato, reminded that the otherwise-admirable BBCCO isn’t the Vienna Philharmonic. Yet, such as Reiner and Szell, with their respective American orchestras, had the knack of presenting Strauss Family pieces like natives. So, for examples, the two Waltzes that ended the advertised Proms programme were a little stiff, less so the non-Strauss items, themselves likeable in what for me were premieres. Erin Morley* was vocally the epitome of charm and style, completely captivating.
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture
Johann Strauss II: Mein Herr Marquis – Adele’s Laughing Song*
Josef Strauss: Brennende Liebe Polka Mazur Op. 129
Kalman: Ich sing mein Lied im Regen und Schnee (Das Veilchen von Montmartre)*
Stolz: Wiener Café Waltz
Korngold: Straussiana
Lehár: The Land of Smiles Overture
Zeller: Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tirol*
Amy Beach: Bal masqué
Nico Dostal: Fröhliches Spiel
Johann Strauss II: Voices of Spring*
Johann Strauss II: By the Beautiful Blue Danube
Johann Strauss II: Champagne Polka (encore)
Only one person to blame for that, not the orchestral musicians.
Yes, sadly the conductor lacked the Viennese finesse. When scheduling this wonderful style of music surely…. you get a Viennese expert conductor in, who very quickly could have got this very capable and flexible orchestra to play beautifully.