100 Years Of Strauss / André Rieu, Johann Strauss Orchestra CD

Contemporary waltz maestro Andre Rieu returns with 100 Years Of Strauss, a tribute to Johann Strauss' body of work. Rieu captures the infectious nature of the waltz on "Perpetuum Mobile," "Cachucha Galopp," and "Spanish March," and the album culminates with a showy interpretation of "The Blue Danube." Sure to please Rieu's many fans, 100 Years Of Strauss continues his tradition as well as those of the Viennese waltz. ~ Heather Phares
Andre Rieu is clearly the world's most noticeable Johann Strauss disciple. 100 YEARS OF STRAUSS displays him at his best, with a larger than usual orchestra (50 piece) captured in lush, resonant sound. The program is imaginative, nearly all of it by Johann Strauss Jr. with one item, 'On Holiday,' by Josef and the whirling Spain-inspired 'Cachucha Galopp' by Johann Sr. Other items of interest include the "Nun's Chorus" from 'Casanova' and two songs from 'The Gypsy Baron,' all heard in Rieu's arrangements. Then there are the items one simply cannot live without, such as 'Tales from the Vienna Woods' with its delightful zither solo, 'Vienna Blood,' and, of course, 'The Blue Danube.' No number of hearings can keep one from wanting to hear these memorable tunes again and again, especially when played with such devotion and infectiously high spirits.