Huws Jones, The Viennese Fiddler for Violin and Piano (Boosey and Hawkes)

Viennese music has become almost synonymous with Johann Strauss II and his great waltzes. But of course there were other luminaries: his father Johann Strauss I his talented brothers Josef and Eduard as well as their colleagues friends and rivals. This collection includes music by some of these; and apart from waltzes we have polkas (slow and fast) a couple of melodies from operettas and a march. The selection ranges from shorter eminently playable miniatures to a handful of more extended and challenging arrangements. The waltz kings were first and foremost fiddlers. They led their orchestras from the front instrument and bow in hand. As a young man Johann Strauss II used to practise his violin in a full-length mirror so he would look every inch the part. They knew how to write for the violin how to make it sing and dance and this helps to make the repertoire a perfect foil to the other volumes in this series. The arrangements in this collection can be performed as solos duets or trios or by larger ensembles. In fact here are all the resources to recreate a Viennese cafe orchestra!