Just A Quickie with… David Juritz, who will conduct the Johann Strauss Orchestra from the violin at York Barbican next Friday
THE stage is set for the magic of the Viennese Ball when the Johann Strauss Gala waltzes into York Barbican.
This 7.30pm celebration of the most popular music, song and dance from the Strauss family will feature Tritsch Tratsch Polka, The Blue Danube Waltz, Radetsky March, Die Fledermaus Overture, Weiner Blut, Voices Of Spring, Thunder And Lightning Polka, Pizzicato Polka and Perpetuum Mobile.
The Johann Strauss Orchestra will be directed from the violin by David Juritz and the soprano soloist will be Amy Freston, whose showpiece will be The Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus.
Why is Johann Strauss and the Strauss musical family so strongly associated with New Year celebrations?
The Viennese ball season begins on New Year’s Eve with the Kaiser Ball as the most prestigious. It was the Strauss family’s music which turned this Viennese tradition into an international phenomenon and has kept it alive ever since.
How did the Viennese tradition of directing from the violin begin?
In fact, the tradition of directing from the violin predates the waltz era by more than a century. The violin/fiddle was also the traditional instrument of the dance master so it’s very natural that the tradition has been maintained.
What are the advantages of directing in this way?
I still get to play the tunes! There are some ‘corners’ where it’s useful to conduct but for the most part, directing from the violin makes it very easy to allow the music to have a natural flow.
What pieces have you selected for the concert?
This year we’ve a ‘night at the ball’ theme so we have a few pieces that fit in. The invitations arrive with the Telegramme Waltz and we also have to have hire a blacksmith to repair the carriage in the Anvil Polka. Our soprano, Amy Freston, has to sing the Audition Aria from Die Fledermaus to see whether she’s allowed to come to the ball. There are plenty of favourites as well, Radetsky March, Chatterbox Polka, Voices of Spring and, of course, the Blue Danube.
What is your favourite Johann Strauss piece?
I really couldn’t choose. I do love the polkas; there are the famous ones like Trisch Trasch and Thunder and Lightning, but the less well known ones like Bitte Schon are just as charming. The Fledermaus Overture is Strauss is glorious but, I suppose, I’d have to choose one of the so called ‘grand waltzes’. Mind you, how do you choose between the Blue Danube and Wiener Blut?
Have you ever attended a Viennese Ball yourself in Vienna?
I would love to. I’d love to learn to dance properly, but more than anything, I’d love to play in one of the orchestras. We work very hard to give the music that Viennese lilt, so I would love to have the opportunity to see how they do it from the inside.
• Tickets cost £19.50 to £29.50 on 0844 854 2757 or yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office, open 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.
