Strictly Strauss (From Watford Observer)

Strictly Strauss

4:58pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in Theatre By Melanie Dakin

Dance and music are inextricably linked according to violinist David Juritz.

The South African born musician is director of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, which is staging a Gala performance of Strauss' music, dance and song at the Colosseum.

"All music has its origins in dance," says David. "When music started out it almost certainly was as a rhythm to accompany dance, you can't divorce the two."

After learning violin in Cape Town from the age of six, David went on to study at the Royal College of Music where he won all the major prizes for violin and was the recipient of the college’s highest award, the Tagore Gold Medal.

From 1991 until taking up his post with the Johann Strauss Orchestra last year, he was leader of the London Mozart Players. In 2007, David busked his way round the world, visiting over 50 towns and cities in 24 countries, playing Bach’s music for solo violin. During the journey he raised money to set up a new charity, Musequality, to support music education projects for young people in South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Thailand. The trip was also an opportunity for David to learn new sounds.

"The aim of Musicality is to try and encourage local music traditions. In Uganda I met some great musicians and had a lesson on African version of the violin, which was great. In Kampala it was the first time they'd seen a violin close up and heard Bach; it's amazing no matter where you are, music seems to connect with so many people."

When the waltz was at its height, Vienna was the music capital of the world

David Juritz

In the 19th Century, it was the waltz that had the popular vote. The ballrooms of Vienna had their heyday.

"It was a golden period. When the waltz was at its height, Vienna was the music capital of the world. At the time there was a strong bond between classical and popular music. Johann Strauss junior was massively admired by Brahms, Mahler and Wagner worshipped him; there was a lot of mutual respect. Waltz music is incredibly sophisticated but very easy to listen to as well."

The Johann Strauss Gala has been captivating audiences for more than 30 years. Performed by the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Dancers, directed by David from the violin in traditional Viennese manner, the programme includes The Blue Danube Waltz, Radetzky March, Wiener Blut, Tritsch Tratsch Polka and The Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus. The soloist is soprano Amy Freston.

"There are a couple of special elements I've added and the show tells the storyline of the waltz with the Viennese ballroom as its driving force."

Although not a dancer himself, David is a dance enthusiast and he is a member of the London Tango Quintet.

"The waltz and the tango are two dance forms that have travelled the world and attract equal passion among dancers.

"A spectacular waltz is fantastic to watch. If you love Strictly Come Dancing you'll recognise how our dancers have that ability to kind of float in the air. I love working with them and getting the timing right so that I can bend phrases to go with them and anticipate exactly how long a lift going to be or when their foot is going to touch the floor."

The Johann Strauss Gala comes to Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford on Wednesday, December 28 at 7.30pm. Details: 0845 075 3993