Description
The eldest son of Johann Strauss, and not intended by his father for a career in music, Johann Strauss the younger nevertheless established an unrivalled reputation throughout the second half of the 19th century as a composer and purveyor of light Viennese music. One of the legendary series of operetta recordings produced by Walter Legge with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the early 1950s, this classic account of 'Wiener Blut' features the ideal vocal partnership of soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and tenor Nicolai Gedda, both at the height of their powers. Viennese charm is provided in abundance by Vienna State Opera stars Erich Kunz and Karl Donch, with Erika Koth and Emmy Loose vividly portraying the two glamorous Viennese spitfires, Franzi and Pepi. The whole performance is masterfully led by Otto Ackermann, one of the greatest post-war conductors of this elusive repertoire