In a captivating 1994/1995 performance, André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra deliver a stunning rendition of “The Second Waltz.” Set against a magical winter backdrop, Rieu, skating effortlessly, adds a touch of whimsy to the already elegant performance. The combination of Rieu’s masterful conducting and the orchestra’s flawless execution creates a memorable experience, blending classical beauty with the enchantment of winter.

The “Second Waltz” and the movements of “Suite for Variety Orchestra”

According to a note by the composer, any number of the pieces may be played, and in any order. The order of movements given in the New Collected Works of Dmitri Shostakovich series is as follows:

March

Dance 1
Dance 2
Little Polka
Lyric Waltz (in C minor and E-flat major)
Waltz 1 (in B-flat major and A major)
Waltz 2 (in C minor and E-flat major), adapted from the Waltz (eighth movement) from the Suite from ‘The First Echelon’, Op. 99a, hence the name “the second waltz”
Finale

“The Second Waltz” became popular in the 1990s and 2000s when it was used in the soundtrack for the Stanley Kubrick film “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999). Since then, it has been widely performed and recorded by orchestras around the world, and has become one of Shostakovich’s most famous compositions.

The waltz is known for its lively and energetic melody, which is accompanied by a driving rhythm and a strong sense of momentum. Despite its popularity, however, “The Second Waltz” has been the subject of controversy over the years, with some critics arguing that it is overly sentimental and lacking in artistic depth.

Conducted by Boian Videnoff, the Mannheimer Philharmoniker performs “The Second Waltz” by Dmitri Shostakovich. Concertmaster: Stefan Tarara. Recorded at the Rosengarten Mannheim on January 1, 2019.

Dmitri Shostakovich

The composer of the Second Waltz, Dmitri Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975) with his cat.

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Soviet Russian composer and pianist and a prominent figure in 20th-century music.

Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of a Soviet chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the government. Nevertheless, he received accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR (1947-1962) and the USSR (from 1962 until his death).

After a period influenced by Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky, Shostakovich developed a hybrid style, as exemplified by Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (1934). This single work juxtaposed a wide variety of trends, including the neo-classical style (showing the influence of Stravinsky) and post-Romanticism (after Gustav Mahler). Sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque characterize much of his music.

Shostakovich’s orchestral works include 15 symphonies and six concerti. His chamber output includes 15 string quartets, a piano quintet, two piano trios, and two pieces for string octet. His piano works include two solo sonatas, an early set of preludes, and a later set of 24 preludes and fugues. Other works include three operas, several song cycles, ballets, and a substantial quantity of film music, especially the well-known The Second Waltz, Op. 99: Music to the film The First Echelon (1955-1956).

André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra

André Rieu (2009)

The Johann Strauss Orchestra was founded by André Rieu in 1987. At the time of its first concert on January 1, 1988, the orchestra consisted of 12 musicians. In 2008 the orchestra expanded to 43 members and performs regularly with guest musicians and singers such as Mirusia Louwerse, Carmen Monarcha, and The Platin Tenors. The orchestra is well known for performing classical works with a distinctly unorthodox frivolity, joking with the audience, and performing all sorts of antics.

The Orchestra now performs with between 80 and 150 musicians. At the time the Orchestra first toured Europe, there emerged a renewed interest in waltz music. The revival began in the Netherlands and was ignited by their recording of the Second Waltz from Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra. As a result, Rieu became known as the Waltz King.