The Strauss Family (1972)

[diane]

I could vaguely remember this show when I was younger,
I could remember my mother absolutely loving it. I saw
it for sale and after a week of watching I believe it is the
best period drama I have ever seen even including
"Upstairs Downstairs".
This is just fantastic - a very melodramatic story, beautiful
music and wonderful performances. Strauss Snr was a
womanizer who eventually left his wife and children for
a younger woman and they also started a family. The
mother encouraged all her children to follow their musical
talents, Sharni was the composer of some of the most
beloved waltzes (Blue Danube etc) . He was played by
Stuart Wilson with such passion and drama - even though
father and son were enemies they had a very similar
temperament. Stuart Wilson was very popular TV actor
of the day (the early 70s) I had such a crush on him.
Even now when we watch he still makes my heart flutter ;D.
The music is played by the London Philharmonic and the
settings are gorgeous. Of course there is the obligatory
riding through the beautiful forests and along the Danube
to get "inspiration" but the venues where they play - they have
the bandstand in the middle of the ballroom and people just
waltz around it - I'm in love with this show!!!

[Larry's 66 Diner]

It sounds like something that would interest me. I'm not sure if it's available here in the States though.

[Midge]

Thanks for the review, Diane. I wish I could see that program as I love classical music and biographies of musicians. I remember seeing part of a documentary about the Strauss family on TV, and I was amazed by how dramatic their lives were. They wrote such beautiful, romantic music that you assume their lives were all waltzes and flower gardens. Unfortunately it seems that a lot of creative people have led troubled lives.

[diane]

it is available through Amazon. Herb and I were talking last night about how
you don't really get a lot of passionate acting in modern TV shows now. I think
it was easy to see where their stirring music came from - the whole family
felt so much passion about different events.

[Midge]

Thanks, Diane!