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© 2010, Salt Lake Vienna Waltz Association
Vol 4 No 2, February 15, 2010
© 2010, Salt Lake Vienna Waltz Association
"Oh, give me the free 'n'easy waltz that is Viennesey And go tell the band if they want a hand the waltz must
be Strauss's!"
Ira Gershwin
Greetings Waltzers,
We attended our fifth Salt Lake Symphony Vienna Ball, Feb. 13, and this one was our best yet. Hosted by
KUER's Steve Williams, the ball's overture, or call to seating, was performed by four alphorn-playing
members of the symphony. Then, Austrian Consul to Salt Lake City Franz Kolb, resplendent in a collar-less
Tegernsee (taygernzay) suit, welcomed the attendees. Following "Herr Kolb," the outstanding BYU Ballroom
Dance Team commenced with a performance to Johann Strauss II's "Emperor Waltz."
Soon, we heard our names called to lead the grand march, performed by the symphony to Johann Strauss
I's stately "Radetsky March." Fortunately, we'd been given advance warning, and had enlisted one of our first
waltz coaches, Dance Sport in Motion's Cindy Prather, to lead the march. So many people joined in that King
Studio instructors led a second march line. This was a fun one. Near the end, we extended our arms to form
a bridge which subsequent dancers ducked under. Aah! And then the waltzing commenced.
Over 400 people purchased tickets, we'd learned, which meant this ball must have been a success for the
symphony since this is its only fundraiser of the year. And near the end of the evening, approaching
midnight, we noticed most of the items donated for sale at the silent auction tables had been purchased.
Considering we've weathered what's been arguably called the worst recession since the Great Depression of
the 1930s, I hope the symphony had a profitable evening. It's music certainly was worth it.
Although waltzes, especially Viennese waltzes, predominated, the symphony also occasionally performed
polkas. When the symphony needed a well-deserved break, the oh-so-smooth Wayne Christiansen Trio
played Foxtrots and Swings for our dancing pleasure. We are almost solely Viennese Waltzers, a relatively
rare breed among ballroom types, and the Christiansen trio highlighted the more popular types of ballroom
to dancers among the crowd. And when the trio needed a break, the BYU dancers were always ready to fill
the gaps.
While "The Blue Danube" waltz is always a crowd favorite, the symphony also played my personal favorite,
“Gold and Silver Waltz, Op. 79,” and for the high altitude-acclimated, the very fast-paced “Tritsch Tratsch
Polka” (huff, huff). Waltzes slowed late in the evening to standard waltzes.
As the witching hour passed, the symphony concluded its performance, and we readied to leave. Conductor
Robert Baldwin walked over to our table and thanked us for publicizing the ball. No, Dr. Baldwin, we thank
you for the fine work your orchestra does every year. We do almost nothing except enjoy.
Finally, every year I find something to criticize about the ball. This year, of all things, it was only the excellent
dinner caterer Chartwell’s decision to pull the water glasses from the tables an hour before the end of the
ball. Obviously, the Chartwell people aren’t dancers or they would know that as in the Sahara Desert,
drinking water on a ballroom floor is a critical necessity. Next year, we’ll bring an “emergency” water supply.
© 2010, Salt Lake Vienna Waltz Association
"Oh, give me the free 'n'easy waltz that is Viennesey And go tell the band if they want a hand the waltz must
be Strauss's!"
Ira Gershwin
Greetings Waltzers,
We attended our fifth Salt Lake Symphony Vienna Ball, Feb. 13, and this one was our best yet. Hosted by
KUER's Steve Williams, the ball's overture, or call to seating, was performed by four alphorn-playing
members of the symphony. Then, Austrian Consul to Salt Lake City Franz Kolb, resplendent in a collar-less
Tegernsee (taygernzay) suit, welcomed the attendees. Following "Herr Kolb," the outstanding BYU Ballroom
Dance Team commenced with a performance to Johann Strauss II's "Emperor Waltz."
Soon, we heard our names called to lead the grand march, performed by the symphony to Johann Strauss
I's stately "Radetsky March." Fortunately, we'd been given advance warning, and had enlisted one of our first
waltz coaches, Dance Sport in Motion's Cindy Prather, to lead the march. So many people joined in that King
Studio instructors led a second march line. This was a fun one. Near the end, we extended our arms to form
a bridge which subsequent dancers ducked under. Aah! And then the waltzing commenced.
Over 400 people purchased tickets, we'd learned, which meant this ball must have been a success for the
symphony since this is its only fundraiser of the year. And near the end of the evening, approaching
midnight, we noticed most of the items donated for sale at the silent auction tables had been purchased.
Considering we've weathered what's been arguably called the worst recession since the Great Depression of
the 1930s, I hope the symphony had a profitable evening. It's music certainly was worth it.
Although waltzes, especially Viennese waltzes, predominated, the symphony also occasionally performed
polkas. When the symphony needed a well-deserved break, the oh-so-smooth Wayne Christiansen Trio
played Foxtrots and Swings for our dancing pleasure. We are almost solely Viennese Waltzers, a relatively
rare breed among ballroom types, and the Christiansen trio highlighted the more popular types of ballroom
to dancers among the crowd. And when the trio needed a break, the BYU dancers were always ready to fill
the gaps.
While "The Blue Danube" waltz is always a crowd favorite, the symphony also played my personal favorite,
“Gold and Silver Waltz, Op. 79,” and for the high altitude-acclimated, the very fast-paced “Tritsch Tratsch
Polka” (huff, huff). Waltzes slowed late in the evening to standard waltzes.
As the witching hour passed, the symphony concluded its performance, and we readied to leave. Conductor
Robert Baldwin walked over to our table and thanked us for publicizing the ball. No, Dr. Baldwin, we thank
you for the fine work your orchestra does every year. We do almost nothing except enjoy.
Finally, every year I find something to criticize about the ball. This year, of all things, it was only the excellent
dinner caterer Chartwell’s decision to pull the water glasses from the tables an hour before the end of the
ball. Obviously, the Chartwell people aren’t dancers or they would know that as in the Sahara Desert,
drinking water on a ballroom floor is a critical necessity. Next year, we’ll bring an “emergency” water supply.
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