The brilliant conductor Carlos Kleiber would have been 88 years old today. One never needs an excuse to watch or listen to this great musician, but here’s one anyway. He leads the Bavarian State Orchestra in the “Thunder and Lightning” Polka by Johann Strauss, Jr.
This has long been one of my favorite pieces of Kleiberiana — “The Huntsmen’s Chorus” from Weber’s “Der Freischutz.”
It’ll make you feel good. You’re welcome.
Pacific Symphony opens its Pops season tonight and tomorrow with a program headlined by David Foster. But conductor Albert-George Schram and the orchestra begin the program with the Overture to “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss, Jr., which for my money is one of the best things he ever wrote. Here, the piece is hit out of the ball park by the great Carlos Kleiber (watch him) and the Bavarian State Orchestra. You’re welcome.
Calr St.Clair and Pacific Symphony perform Overture to “Die Fledermaus” on demand.
An old standby. If this isn’t my favorite classical video, I can’t think which one is. The great Carlos Kleiber conducts the “Thunder and Lightning” Polka by Johann Strauss, Jr. This is stupendous conducting but most everything has already been accomplished in rehearsal. Now he’s just reminding them and enjoying himself, having a party in fact.
