Memorable evening with top European orchestra
By Amina Nazarli
The sounds of exciting performances of the famous Viennese Strauss Festival Orchestra was heard for the first time in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku on November 26.
Azerbaijani elite, intellectuals, artists and people of art attended the gala evening to plug on the world of quality music.
The orchestra headed by founder, conductor and violin virtuoso Peter Guth is considered among the best in Europe.
The orchestra, a keeper of the true Vienna musical culture and fascination of Viennese music introduced immortal works of Johann Strauss, such as "The Blue Danube," "Tales from the Vienna Woods" and other masterpieces of the composer.
The mastery of the music, its beauty and charm mesmerized the audience, which welcomed each performance with vigorous applause.
Soprano Monica Mosser thrilled the audience with Czardas from the operetta "Gypsy Love." And Guth dedicated a passage from the "The Thousand and One Nights" operetta, to Baku.
After the grandiose concert, the incomparable Guth shared his impressions about the evening and Land of Fire -- Baku.
“I and my colleagues are just delighted with Baku” said the great musician .
“For me it was a great honor to perform at this stage. I want to thank the audience in Baku for the warm welcome”, he said.
Walking along Baku, he was impressed with Icherisheher, Boulevard and synthesis of West and East. Especially, he noted the unusual architecture of Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid and which was recognized as “Design of the Year.”
Guth describe his group as a big family, gathering people from different European countries.
But what makes their performances particularly vivid, emotional and colorful is that music is not a mean of income, but the feeling of something high and beautiful, for his group.
They put their hearts on every songs to convey these feelings to the audience.
The orchestra was established in 1978. Over 35 years of activity the orchestra, performed in Japan, China, Korea, Russia, Turkey, Romania and other countries. Annually on January, 1 the group opens the famous Viennese Ball.
Works by Strauss are very popular: they give a sense of happiness, lightness and at the same time meet the high demands of classical music.