The Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra can rightly claim to be one of the most authentic ensembles for interpreting the music of the Strauss dynasty. Founded in 1966 – a little less than 120 years after Johann Strauss I founded the Strauss Orchestra, the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra aims to cultivate the music of the Strauss dynasty together with so-called ‘light’ Viennese music. It is formed of forty-two musicians, that is to say the ensemble is the same size as that which, according to authentic accounts, was preferred by members of the Strauss family. After the far too early death of the last professional musician of the Strauss dynasty, Eduard II, in 1969, the post of conductor was taken over by a man whose name is connected down to the present day with the tradition of the New Year’s concerts like that of no other: Willi Boskovsky. Boskovsky’s time with the orchestra saw the production of a great many recordings, and this CD provides a worthy continuation of them. Alfred Eschwé has been closely connected with the orchestra since 1981 and, as well as undertaking numerous tours throughout the world, has already recorded a number of CDs with them.