Strauss’s early waltzes are charming and often naïve, but his greatest works are masterpieces of maturity — true symphonic poems with beautiful introductions, exhilarating climaxes, and sumptuous codas. Strauss’s joy is always tinged with a slight touch of sadness; he knew life. An Artist’s Life, Viennese Blood (Wiener Blut), Morning Papers, and The Emperor Waltz are “original” waltzes — the last having been written for a ball held in honor of Franz Joseph on the fortieth anniversary of his reign.

Roses from the South is drawn from his operetta Das Spitzentuch der Königin (The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief) and from The Gypsy Baron’s Treasure Waltz. Thunder and Lightning is a typical polka. Village Swallows and Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust (My life is love and joy) are by his brother Josef Strauss, a master of tender melancholy. The Blue Danube is not only Strauss’s most famous composition; it is also the Austrian national anthem, albeit an unofficial one. Johannes Brahms is said to have written of his friend’s waltz: “Unfortunately, not by me.”

Fritz Reiner lends a symphonic dimension to the great waltzes of the Strauss family. Under his direction, the Chicago Orchestra is as comfortable in this repertoire as the Vienna Philharmonic. The remastering brings a clarity, warmth, and brilliance superior to any other edition.