For further details, see:
http://www.austria.org.uk/waltz/
To subscribe to the Austrian Cultural Institute's quarterly
*Austrian Newsletter*, fill out the online form at:
http://www.austria.org.uk/newsletr.htm
or contact the ACI at the address below.
DL
____________________________________________________
1999 will be the year of the waltz!
The whole of London will move in three-quarter time this year as we
mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Johann Strauss II -- known
as 'the Waltz King' and composer of the celebrated Blue Danube waltz
-- and the 150th anniversary of the death of his equally famous father
Johann Strauss I, who composed the rousing Radetzky March.
Incredibly prolific, their music is amongst the most beautiful and
popular ever written and a major festival has been organised by the
Austrian Cultural Institute in London that will commemorate and
celebrate these two legendary figures.
Entitled 'The Perfect Movement', the festival is devoted to the waltz
and its impact on western culture through the music of the Strauss
Family.
Highlights will include major concerts by the BBC Concert Orchestra,
the Johann Strauss Chamber Orchestra of Vienna, the Academy of London
and stars from the Vienna Volksoper. There will be a live open-air
relay of Die Fledermaus direct via satellite from Vienna, a major
exhibition at the European Academy, a film season -- 'Waltz on the
Screen' -- at the Riverside Studios, a Grand Viennese Ball, an
'alternative' Ball, and a wealth of recitals, chamber concerts,
lectures, seminars, book launches and smaller events. There will also
be lessons in the Viennese Waltz for those who don't know how -- or
have forgotten the steps!
The celebrations commence on 27 April with a gala concert at the
Royal Festival Hall given by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by
Barry Wordsworth hosted by Adele Leigh, with soprano Martina Serafin
and celebrity dancers from Vienna. A major highlight of this concert
will be a specially commissioned new work by Judith Bingham entitled
Walzer Spiele, portraying the waltz through late twentieth century
eyes.
The festival isn't only about Vienna. Johann Strauss and his father
were frequent visitors to London and this will be remembered by a
series of 'Strauss Trails' organised by the Johann Strauss Society of
Great Britain. For more details, call 0181 300 7302 (7.00-9.00pm).
The Strauss Exhibition (11 May-6 June) explores the life and loves of
Johann Strauss II through private letters, photographs and personal
memorabilia especially imported from Vienna.
The film season (18-25 June) at the Riverside Studios Cinema presents
the waltz on screen from silent movies of the 1920s to concert movies
by the rock bands of the 1990s, classic science fiction films, musical
comedies and operettas.
'The Perfect Movement' is a unique festival with, we hope, something
for everyone. The full programme will be published in late March.
Emil Brix
Festival Director
The Austrian Cultural Institute
________________________
For a free festival calendar containing details of all the events,
call 0171 823 9742 (24 hours) or send a self-addressed envelope (C5)
to:
The Perfect Movement
The Austrian Cultural Institute
28 Rutland Gate
London
SW7 1PQ
E-mail : [log in to unmask]
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