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. Its 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.