Raoul Poliakin - Waltz Masterpieces (1958) [2013] Hi-Res

Raoul Poliakin conducting the Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York (a pseudonym of the members of New York Philharmonic Orchestra). Features famous waltzes by Weber, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and more.

With the exception of the march, no musical form exerts such universal power over the listener as does the waltz. The lure of its three-quarter-time sorcery will soon have an audience swaying in its seats or dancers gliding and twirling across the ballroom floor. What is more, the waltz has held this magic power for more than a century and a half; and though the world is not nearly as waltz-crazy as it was during the latter half of the nineteenth century, it will still respond with genuine warmth whenever a waltz is played.

Actually, none of the waltzes in the present collection were originally intended for ballroom use, though at one time or another, all have served that purpose. The two Tchaikovsky waltzes were written for the ballet; the waltzes by Richard Strauss were compiled from an operatic score, and those by Weber and Johann Strauss, Jr., were first introduced in the concert hall.


Tracks:

01 - Carl Maria von Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65 (transcribed by Berlioz)
02 - Johann Strauss, Jr.: Wiener Blut (Vienna Life) – Waltz, Op. 354
03 - Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Waltz of the Flowers
04 - Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier – Waltzes
05 - Johann Strauss, Jr.: Künstlerleben (Artist’s Life) – Waltz, Op. 316
06 - Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty – Waltz

Personnel:

Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York
Raoul Poliakin