The menu of ‘Strauss A La Carte’ is a gourmet’s delight of tasty fare to tempt and satisfy any musical palate. They are bright, gay confections, topped with the whipped cream of romantic Viennese sentiment, yet light and airy in character. In short, they represent the Strauss’s unique talents for creating music of geniality, good cheer and brilliant instrumentation. For, from this endless stream of waltzes, polkas and galops came the authentic flavor of the Imperial City’s ballrooms, parks, cafes, beer halls and streets – melodies that once set crowds to leaping, whirling and dancing, that enchant even today, and will always continue to enrapture listeners. Most of the courses served up herein are from the pen of ‘The Waltz King,’ Johann Strauss II, some are by his brother, Josef, and one, the prickling Pizzicato Polka, is a joint effort, one of four which the two brothes wrote together. From Johann’s prodigious array of nearly 500 selections, the Vienna State Opera Orchestra offers the vivacious Vergnügungszug (Joy Ride), the perpetually-in-motion Leichtes Blut (Light Blood), the stately and tender Annen Polka, the infectiously melodic Freikugeln (Magic Bullets) and the exciting Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder And Lightning) replete with thunderous sound effects. The rousing Eljen A Magyar (Long Live Hungary) has a fiery Gipsy flavoring and the Studenten Polka is a frolic on the famous old student song, Gaudeamus. Also heard are two playful entries from Johann’s many operettas – Violetta, honoring the heroine of ‘Der Lustige Krieg’ and Klipp-Klapp Galopp from ‘Waldmeister.’ Brother Josef, with 283 musical works to his credit, is represented by the festive Feuerfest (Fireworks) which contains some smitty-anvil clanging, and the animated Ohne Sorgen (Carefree) with its choruses of “ha… ha… has.” Pizzicato Polka, mentioned above, is considered by many to be the finest and most imaginative example of the polka form. Like all the other selections in the album, it is, of course, danceable, but remains primarily a concert piece. It has been said that the proper presentation of a Strauss work in the Viennese tradition is something which can be learned only through having played in aViennese orchestra under Viennese conductors. To that end, no more felicitous choice of collaborators could be found throughout the world than Anton Paulik and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. Professor Paulik, first conductor of the Vienna Volksoper for fifteen years, is a past master of the subtle inflections and rhythmic shadings which imbue the Strauss literature with buoyant life. Needless to say, the Vienna State Opera Orchestra, born and bred to that tradition, cannot be matched in this music for elan, style and brilliance. Together, they produce a blend of unforgettable ‘Strauss A La Carte’ entertainment.