Search - Johann Strauss Gala - An Evening of Polka, Waltz, and Operetta on DVD

The best and only DVD of Johann Strauss that I know

Fernando J. Orozco | El Monte, CA USA | 08/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Video of Johann Strauss is just GREAT. It even has the menu in english, spanish, french and japanesse. The Music is great and the scenary could not be better since it is in front of some famous palace in Vienna. It is a live concert with a very special director and very great musicians. The selections used in this video are fablous, since they include marches, polkas, and, of course, waltez. I can also say that one of the violinist is a decendant from Johann Strauss; I am guessing this because it is the only explination to the treatment that he received by everybody: musicians and public. The sound is fantastic and the video is great with all those fantastic takes of the palace and statues arroung the palace. It is a great performance of the music by Strauss in the perfect scenary. And how it is custom already, the video ends with the worlwide known Redesky March by Johann Strauss Senior. You MUST buy this DVD because is just great."

Joy with a Tip of Regret

Juan B. Mansfield | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | 11/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The audio and video are of top quality. However, in the video several shots are repeated. Having the splendid city of Viena as a background other shots could have enriched the event. Also, having Carreras as a main figure I had expected more performances from him from the very beginning. My rate of 4 is due basically to what in my opinion are slight drawbacks.Juan Mansfield"

Strauss Night in Vienna

Mr. John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OH (United States | 05/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(This really rates higher than a 4, but less than a 5.)

It's a collection of 19 waltzes, polkas, and pieces from operettas, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic led by Zubin Mehta.

There are favorites, such as The Blue Danube, Wienerblut, Gypsy Baron, and of course the Radetzky March.

To me, it appeared Carreras seemed to struggle just a bit with German, but his voice was strong and enthusiastic.

The high points of this live performance were the duets and the two solos by Andrea Rost. This beautiful singer appeared in three different lovely gowns, sang with warmth and infectous enjoyment, and even hit all the high notes with confidence and grace.

During the "Im Krappenwald'l" polka the camera close-ups let you see the two unusual instruments which make the sound of the cuckoo and the bird chirping in the forest. You even see Zubin Mehta apparently coaxing the muscician into an extra chirp or two.

One improvement would have been to allow some of the audience to dance--Strauss's music was made for dance. Another would have been to have more than Andrea Rost's mere two solos and two duets with Carreras. One more comment: the photography really was excellent--you see far more than most of the concert-goers saw, and at the end, you feel you've enjoyed a night in Vienna."