NEW YORK, NY – Much like Bach, Brahms and his fellow Austrian, Mozart, Johann Strauss II has become synonymous with classical music. And, while he is regarded as one of the most recognized composers in the world, it is not widely known that he hails from a family of accomplished musicians who’ve sold more than 20 million albums collectively. This July, A&E Home Video brings to rich life two generations of musical genius – and scandal -- with THE STRAUSS FAMILY, a lavish eight-part British miniseries, critically acclaimed upon its 1972-3 debuts, both in the U.K. and in the U.S. on “Masterpiece Theater”. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast including Derek Jacobi and Jane Seymour and glorious renditions of the Strauss’ works by the London Symphony Orchestra, the miniseries -- the only DVD available about the fascinating first family of 19th century music – is a must-have for any music aficionado.
NEW YORK, NY – Much like Bach, Brahms and his fellow Austrian, Mozart, Johann Strauss II has become synonymous with classical music. And, while he is regarded as one of the most recognized composers in the world, it is not widely known that he hails from a family of accomplished musicians who’ve sold more than 20 million albums collectively. This July, A&E Home Video brings to rich life two generations of musical genius – and scandal -- with THE STRAUSS FAMILY, a lavish eight-part British miniseries, critically acclaimed upon its 1972-3 debuts, both in the U.K. and in the U.S. on “Masterpiece Theater”. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast including Derek Jacobi and Jane Seymour and glorious renditions of the Strauss’ works by the London Symphony Orchestra, the miniseries -- the only DVD available about the fascinating first family of 19th century music – is a must-have for any music aficionado.
Spanning 85 years, THE STRAUSS FAMILY chronicles the rise of Johann Strauss, Sr. (Eric Woolfe) from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the most famous musicians in Europe. But at the height of his success, a series of scandalous love affairs estrange him from his wife (BAFTA “Best Actress” nominee Anne Stallybrass) and prodigiously talented son Johann, Jr. (Stuart Wilson: Hot Fuzz, Perfect Creature), and father and son soon become fierce rivals in the musical and political worlds of 19th-century Austria. THE STRAUSS FAMILY follows the advancing career of the younger Strauss as he achieves even greater fame as Vienna’s “Waltz King,” celebrated even today for the Blue Danube waltz and Die Fledermaus.
With a superb cast and incomparable score, THE STRAUSS FAMILY is a dramatic family saga of tragedy and triumph not to be missed.
A&E Home Video, part of the Consumer Products Division of A&E Television Networks (AETN) is a video distributor of non-theatrical programming, featuring collectible DVD editions of the high quality programming from A&E Network and HISTORY™, as well as acquired classic programming. A&E Home Video brings the best of critically acclaimed entertainment presented in award-winning packaging to the special interest category. For more information about ordering these and other titles from the A&E Home Video Collection, call (212) 206-8600 (TRADE ONLY). Consumers please call 1-800-423-1212 (A&E). In addition to placing orders by phone, A&E Home Video products may be purchased over the World Wide Web at ShopAETV.com.
