I can't really do justice to the superb review by lugonian. The synopsis of each episode really helped our enjoyment of the series, I can but add my own praise though. I could barely remember this show when it was first televised, I can remember my mother's enjoyment and what a surprise I had when I found it for sale on Amazon. After viewing it I think it is the best period series ever!!! "Upstairs, Downstairs" included!!!
You have a wonderful array of top actors most, I think, can look on this show as a high point, a compelling story and of course the wonderful music. If you ever find yourself humming a waltz, chances are it was composed by a Strauss family member. You are hurtled into the drama instantly as Anna (Ann Stallybrass) finds herself pregnant to womanizer Johann Strauss (Eric Woofe was wonderful in this very unsympathetic role. I really can't understand why he has no other credits after this series and I do hope he used his talents in the theatre and did not retire so soon). His friend Josef Lanner (Derek Jacobi of "I, Claudius") from the small band they play in feels Johann treats Anna abominably and after a few years Johann abandons his family completely for the kittenish Emilie.
There is an under lying theme of trying to snatch hold of youth - Johann is always concerned about his age, dyeing his hair, leaving his responsible, sensible wife and growing family for the child like Emilie who matches his feckless temperament. The cornerstone of the show is Stuart Wilson with his magnificent portrayal of the passionate Schanni (Johann Jnr.). Even though he hates his father he has inherited his temperament ie his fear of growing old and his passionate outbursts. In the episode "Hetti", he bursts into his wife's bedroom to talk about his new waltz, "The Blue Danube". Seeing her asleep without her makeup he is gripped by a fear that he too will grow old someday and plunges into affairs with youthful shallow women. In that same episode his mother, who made the family the success it is, dies, also his younger brother. He also meets Emilie once more, who cannot accept the fact that she is growing old and alone (his father has died) and has taken to prostitution - Schanni cannot cope with the unhappiness and reality about him. The series does attempt to incorporate his sibling's stories as well. Middle brother Josef, a placid man who may well have matched his older brother's waltzes if he had lived and Eduard, quite different from his other brothers. He is the only child who remained close to the father and throughout his life was always jealous of Schanni's success. He found fame as a band leader.
After a disastrous second marriage with a girl, Lili, (Georgina Hale) who has "streetwalker" written all over her, Schanni finds lasting love with Adele, a young Jewish woman, who gives him the stability and confidence he needs. He also now receives the accolades and honours due to his reputation as "The Waltz King".
Highly, Highly Recommended.
You have a wonderful array of top actors most, I think, can look on this show as a high point, a compelling story and of course the wonderful music. If you ever find yourself humming a waltz, chances are it was composed by a Strauss family member. You are hurtled into the drama instantly as Anna (Ann Stallybrass) finds herself pregnant to womanizer Johann Strauss (Eric Woofe was wonderful in this very unsympathetic role. I really can't understand why he has no other credits after this series and I do hope he used his talents in the theatre and did not retire so soon). His friend Josef Lanner (Derek Jacobi of "I, Claudius") from the small band they play in feels Johann treats Anna abominably and after a few years Johann abandons his family completely for the kittenish Emilie.
There is an under lying theme of trying to snatch hold of youth - Johann is always concerned about his age, dyeing his hair, leaving his responsible, sensible wife and growing family for the child like Emilie who matches his feckless temperament. The cornerstone of the show is Stuart Wilson with his magnificent portrayal of the passionate Schanni (Johann Jnr.). Even though he hates his father he has inherited his temperament ie his fear of growing old and his passionate outbursts. In the episode "Hetti", he bursts into his wife's bedroom to talk about his new waltz, "The Blue Danube". Seeing her asleep without her makeup he is gripped by a fear that he too will grow old someday and plunges into affairs with youthful shallow women. In that same episode his mother, who made the family the success it is, dies, also his younger brother. He also meets Emilie once more, who cannot accept the fact that she is growing old and alone (his father has died) and has taken to prostitution - Schanni cannot cope with the unhappiness and reality about him. The series does attempt to incorporate his sibling's stories as well. Middle brother Josef, a placid man who may well have matched his older brother's waltzes if he had lived and Eduard, quite different from his other brothers. He is the only child who remained close to the father and throughout his life was always jealous of Schanni's success. He found fame as a band leader.
After a disastrous second marriage with a girl, Lili, (Georgina Hale) who has "streetwalker" written all over her, Schanni finds lasting love with Adele, a young Jewish woman, who gives him the stability and confidence he needs. He also now receives the accolades and honours due to his reputation as "The Waltz King".
Highly, Highly Recommended.