Tales from the Vienna Woods: Johann Strauss II - Fricsay/RIAS pt 1

[rdbean77]

what is that funky instrument from @2:28 til the end?

[2ndviolinist]

@rdbean77 It is a zither. From Wikipedia: "Composed in 1868, G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald, op. 325 was one of six Viennese waltzes by Johann Strauss II which featured a virtuoso part for zither." It is also in part 2. I think it's beautiful, well played, and a traditional instrument from the region. Often done with string quartet, I believe.

[Groeg41]

Splendid music, a real pleasure. And that was "light" music at his time.

[2ndviolinist]

@Groeg41 Composition, light and serious, along with performance level lost it at one time or another last century.

[pianopera]

Very nice video, thanks!

[2ndviolinist]

@pianopera Glad you enjoyed it. Fricsay is, to my knowledge, the youngest of the great conductors. Fortunately he is very well represented in recordings but the orchestras - RIAS, Berlin, etc. were not on the same level sound-wise in the strings as good orchestras in the 20s, 30s, and even the 40s. I love his J Strauss recordings and many others . His Mozart 29 is wonderful (on YT). Also look up his rehearsal of Smetana's Moldau on YT.