In addition to having written the first Viennese operetta, Franz von Suppé was a master of the Italian, French and German styles which he blended like an alchemist to form his own unique, irrepressible compositions. Two imperishable examples are here, the overtures Poet and Peasant and Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna. This album also explores his previously unrecorded Fantasia Symphonica, recently rediscovered in Viennese archives by conductor Ola Rudner, which displays masterful orchestration, distinctive melodies and a mastery of counterpoint. Other rarities complete this fresh look at the breadth of Suppé’s ambition.

Suppé’s Die Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen can be heard on 8574396: ‘The orchestra responds beautifully to some of Suppé’s most intricate orchestrations. The sound is excellent’, wrote American Record Guide. His incidental music to Mozart on 8574383 ‘is a must-have for fans of light opera, and for anyone in the market for something fun to listen to’ (Fanfare).

Swedish conductor Ola Rudner began his musical career as a first-rate violinist, assistant to Sándor Végh, and as concertmaster of several orchestras, including the Camerata Salzburg, Volksoper Wien and Wiener Symphoniker. He founded the Philharmonia Wien in 1995, was principal conductor of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (2001–03), principal conductor of the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento (2003–07), and chief conductor of the Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra in Reutlingen (2008–16). Rudner has appeared with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra among others, and has conducted almost every major Australian and Scandinavian Orchestra.

The Swedish conductor Ola Rudner started his career as a high-profile violinist – he is a prize winner of the Paganini competition and was also the assistant of the legendary Sándor Végh. He has received the Order of Merit for services rendered to the Republic of Austria.

The Tonkünstler-Orchester is one of Austria’s largest and most important musical ambassadors. Recent tours have taken the Tonkünstler to Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Japan and the Baltic states. Its versatile artistic profile is reflected in its varied discography, and the orchestra’s own label, founded in 2016, releases up to four recordings per year of in-house studio productions and live recordings, mostly from the Wiener Musikverein.