Otto Nicolai

Carlos Kleiber New Year’s Concert 1992

Johann Strauss Jr.: Waltzes and Polkas. "The Thunder and Lightning" Polka, with its flashing cymbals and booming bass drum, has always been a favorite in our household. "The Blue Danube" Waltz isn't bad either and "The Radetzky March" (by Johann Sr.) is hard to beat for clap-along fun. Suggested recording: Again, there are many recordings of these works available, but you can't be without the DVD of Carlos Kleiber conducting the Vienna Philharmonic on New Year's Day 1992 on Philips.