Graduation Ball / Le Beau Danube

A well filled CD containing two short ballets compiled from music by the Strauss family (not just Johann II as shown on the cover) by two noted ballet conductors of the twentieth century.'Graduation Ball' was compiled and arranged by Antal Dorati. The music is mostly little known but does include both the 'Acceleration' waltz and the 'Perpetuum Mobile'. It is however an utterly delightful concoction and receives the finest possible performance here from Dorati directing the Vienna Philharmonic which, of course, has the music in its blood.'Le Beau Danube' is a similar ballet, this time the arranger being Roger Desormiere. The only 'hit' this time is the 'Blue Danube' but once again the work is very enjoyable. The conductor this time is Richard Bonynge who directs the National Philharmonic.The recording quality, although analogue, is very good indeed and shows its age not at all. The notes are very informative but I wish the author wasn't so dismissive of Strauss's own ballet 'Aschenbrodel'. This is, in fact, a very enjoyable work which Bonynge has recorded. Sadly these discs are no longer available and should be reissued without delay.However, this Australian 'Eloquence' issue is still available and is higly recommended to all lovers of Viennese music. A splendid issue.

Lovely tempi, ideally for my ballet rehearsal of Graduation ball😊

Excellent performance

"One of the greatest composers of music intended for dancing never composed a viable full-length ballet." But, there is a long list of imaginative producers, choreographers, arrangers and musicians who have created ballets from the music of composers that was written for other purposes. Both of the ballets of Johann Strauss II result from this creative adaptation process. Most classical music devotees are well aware of the early stereo recordings of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra lead by Maestro Antal Dorati (4/9/1906-11/13/1988) for the Mercury "Living Presence" label. One of these, the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture, using live cannon fire, real church bells and a brass band was and arguably still is a definitive recording to demonstrate the capabilities of any superior sound reproductive system. The music here is not intended to overwhelm in the same manner. In Graduation Ball Maestro Dorati has adapted the music for ballet and in Le Beau Danube the adaptation has been accomplished by the French conductor Roger Desormiere. Strauss died in June 1899. These ballets date from 1940 and 1924, respectively. A supreme effort will be required of any listener to remain immobile while listening to this music.

I absolutely love the Graduation Ball Ballet, Strauss'(Jr.) music arranged by Antal Dorati into a magnificently quirkey ballet set in 1840 involving a schol for girls, who host a ball for the neighbouring boys military cadets under the supervision of the headmistress. The boys arrive and the ball gets underway, both sides quite nervous as the boys pair off with the girls and the headmistress & the boys chaperone an elderly General pair off as well. I'll leave what happens next for you to draw your own conclusion!!Wonderfully played by the Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Dorati.Coupled with this is the lesser know work of Strauss' "Le Beau Danube" orchestrated by Roger Desormiere; who not only uses Johann jr. but also music from his father Johann sr. & his brother Josef. This was prepared for the Ballet Russes de Monte- Carlo between 1925-1930. This has little plot to speak of but is a favourite with balletomanes when revived. It is played here by the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Richard Bonynge. This is also a magical piece. Quite a good coupling & well worth a hearing, you will not regret it. Makes for a nice Strauss evening.