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GREAT PERFORMANCES continues its time-honored holiday tradition with its 21st annual New Year's Day visit to Vienna with host Walter Cronkite. This year, Lorin Maazel returns as guest conductor to lead the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic in a program of delightful Strauss family waltzes from the majestic Musikverein. And international ballet star Vladimir Malakhov joins the Vienna State Opera Ballet as soloist and choreographer in performances from two of Vienna's architectural splendors, the Belvedere and Coburg palaces. In a special addition to this year's program, GP presents Vienna's delectable treats and idyllic retreats: the creation of Viennese apfelstrudel from apple blossom to serving table and a tour of the city's famous woodland set to Johann Strauss II's "Tales from the Vienna Woods."
Polkas dominate this year's concert as Lorin Maazel once again ascends the podium. The maestro's 11th appearance as the Vienna Philharmonic's guest conductor on New Year's Day is also his silver jubilee; it was 25 years ago that the orchestra first asked him to lead the annual concert. Delve into two memorable waltzes by the Strausses -- Johann Strauss, Jr.'s "Tales from the Vienna Woods" and the "Radetzky March" by his father -- in the essay by writer Marc Geelhoed. Review the polkas, galops, and waltzes performed at the concert in the song list. And test your skills with the Name That Strauss Tune game in the Multimedia Presentation. (The free Flash 5 plug-in is required.)
Additional funding for this program is provided by Bank Austria Creditanstalt, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, the Paul W. Zuccaire Foundation, Vera Eberstadt, and Thea Petschek Iervolino.
Top banner photos: The cellists of the Vienna Philharmonic, the golden statue of Johann Strauss, Jr. in Vienna's Stadtpark (Austrian National Tourist Office/Wiesenhofer), and the orchestra's horn section. |
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Walter Cronkite, the popular former newsman, marks his 21st season as host of the annual festivities. |
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The full orchestra is comprised of more than 120 members, 55 of whom are violinists and violists. |
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The DVD and CD are available from Amazon.com. |
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