Title:Johann Strauss II, 19 Waltzes - 2 CD Wiener Johann Strauss-Orchester - Willi Boskovsky Few conductors are as strongly associated with the Viennese waltz as Willi Boskovsky, who, in a long career of promoting light music through his popular New Year's concerts, endeared himself to millions as a modern-day "Waltz King." Of course, that title originally belonged to Johann Strauss, Jr., the celebrated Viennese composer and innovative band leader whose waltzes are presented by Boskovsky on this EMI Classics twofer. Among the selections here are the renowned On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Roses From the South, Vienna Blood, Voices of Spring, Tales from the Vienna Woods, An Artist's Life, Wine, Women, and Song, and 12 other memorable waltzes, played in authentic Viennese style by the Johann Strauss Orchestra of Vienna, Boskovsky's last orchestra before his retirement. These recordings date from the early to mid-'80s and were therefore recorded in EMI's fairly shallow but clean digital sound. However, with a fresh remastering in 2001, the music sounds reasonably full in tone and natural in its dynamics, though the orchestra seems to have little depth and resonance, and ears accustomed to contemporary digital sound will find the frequency range to be limited. Because this double-disc is part of the Gemini reissues series, it is an affordable introduction to Strauss' music and worth having as a basic set of the most important waltzes, however, disappointed listeners and audiophiles will likely pay more for a better-sounding alternative. Titles   cd 1 1. An der schonen, blauen Donau - Walzer Op. 314 2. Rosen aus dem Suden - Walzer Op. 388 3. Wiener Blut - Walzer Op. 354 4. Fruhlingstimmen - Walzer Op. 410 5. Kunstlerleben - Walzer Op.316 6. Tales from the Vienna Woods Op. 325 7. Kaiserwalzer Op. 437 8. Morgenblatter, 'Morning papers' Op. 279 9. Accelerationen - Walzer Op. 234 cd 2 1. Lagunen-Walzer Op.411 2. Schatz-Walzer (Treasure Waltz) Op. 418 3. Du und Du - Walzer Op. 367 4. Wein, Weib und Gesang - Walzer Op.333 5. Donauweibchen - Walzer Op. 427 6. Wiener Frauen - Walzer Op. 423 7. Feuilleton, 'Features section' Op. 193 8. Flugschriften, 'Pamphlets' Op. 300 9. Gedankenpflug - Walzer Op. 215 10. Die Leitartikel - Walzer Op. 273