Nico Dostal (1895-1981) is indisputably one of the most successful operetta composers of the 20th century. Clivia, The Hungarian Wedding, Manina and many others made him go down in music history as the last master of the silver operetta. It is less well known that Nico Dostal wrote choral works and symphonic-concertante music in addition to numerous songs, some of which became evergreens, and film music. He recorded a representative cross-section of these works with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1979: a wonderful record that has long been out of print. Reason enough for cpo to re-release it on CD. The selection conveys a fascinating impression of the richness of melody and the stylistic variety of his instrumental works. From the late romantic musical language of Strauss to Viennese waltz sounds and jazz, this composer had everything at his disposal. You can look forward to the overture "Fröhliches Spiel", the "Blues Fantasy", the "Spanish Sketches" and the romantic suite "In meinen Bergen", a melodious homage to the Ausseerland.