Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Waltz

Emil Waldteufel Forest Devil of Waltz

Only days after the arrival of Krampus, the Christmas devil, comes the birthday of Emil Waldteufel. Waldteufel is German for “forest devil.” He was born on this date in 1837.

Though Waldteufel had long been a mainstay of Paris society balls of the Second Empire, he was nearly 40 by the time he achieved international fame. It was the Prince of Wales – the future King Edward VII – who introduced him to London, and his music came to dominate Queen Victoria’s state balls at Buckingham Palace. One of his best-known works, “Les Patineurs” (“The Skaters’ Waltz”) was introduced there in 1882. Another of his most successful waltzes, from the other end of the decade, was “Roses de Noël” (“Christmas Roses”).

The holidays are in bloom! Take some time to smell the roses with Emil Waldteufel.

“The Skaters’ Waltz”

“Roses de Noël”

Because of the unusual nature of the conductor, in period costume and facial hair, to this I add the Rimsky-Korsakov Central Navy Band of Russia playing “Estudiantina”

Happy birthday, Waldteufel, you devil.

December 9, 2024
New Chopin Waltz Found Hear Lang Lang Play

What appears to be an authentic waltz by Frédéric Chopin has come to light. You can read more about it and hear it performed by Lang Lang, in this article in the New York Times.

“[Chopin] preferred the intimacy of salons, performing his works before audiences of royalty, bankers, artists and musicians – the ‘church of Chopin,’ as the composer Franz Liszt called the gatherings. In these settings, fans sometimes asked for small compositions, like waltzes, as gifts.

“Chopin obliged, occasionally presenting the same waltz to several people. He gave away manuscripts of the Waltz in F Minor on at least five occasions, each time to women. ‘Please keep it for yourself,’ he wrote to a recipient. ‘I should not like it to be made public.’”

PLAYAH!

Also, I want to know more about this amateur composer, A. Sherrill Whiton, a Boulanger pupil who composed three operas, finishing the last on the day he died!

The music is enchanting, of course, but what I really like is Chopin’s doodle. You can see it at the link, to what hopefully is a gift article (so don’t say I never gave you anything).

October 28, 2024
Haunted Ballroom Geoffrey Toye’s Chilling Waltz

Another light music classic: “The Haunted Ballroom” by Geoffrey Toye.

The waltz is taken from a one-act ballet, inspired by a story of Edgar Allan Poe, about a family curse, and the deaths of its members as they are compelled to dance with ghostly partners.

The piece was first performed by the Vic-Wells Ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 1934.

October 14, 2020
Waldteufel’s Waltzes Advent Calendar Day 10

ADVENT CALENDAR – DAY 10

Today is the birthday of Emil Waldteufel (1837-1915).

Waldteufel was a graduate of the Paris Conservatory, who became a court pianist to Empress Eugénie. His orchestra played at state balls and, following the dissolution of the Second Empire, Presidential balls.

In 1874, he was heard by the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII), who introduced him to the London music scene. His success in London proved a springboard to world fame.

Here are two Waldteufel waltzes for the season. One is very well-known, one not so much so.

Les Patineurs (The Skaters):

Roses de Noël (Christmas Roses):

FUN FACT: Waldteufel’s surname is German for “Forest Devil.”

December 9, 2014

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