Garbuzov - Menzinger, AUT

That the traditional New Year concert of the Vienna Philharmonics includes dancing is nothing new. This year too, dancers of the Vienna State Ballet enhanced some of the compositions by Strauss dynasty members that the philharmonics performed under the direction of Maestro Daniel Barenboim.

That two accomplished athletes in DanceSport were called upon to deliver an important part of the concert’s message was the novelty in 2014. Vadim Garbuzov and Kathrin Menzinger danced the Waltz of Waltzes, Johann Strauss II’s Blue Danube, that was the highlight of the concert

“We dreamt of many things throughout our career,” the couple declared ahead of their exploit, ”but dancing our very own chorography during the New Year’s Day Concert ranks right up there with winning a World Championship.”

This concert stands in a league of its own when it comes to worldwide exposure. For more than 50 years already, Austrian public broadcaster ORF produces the105-minute feast that brings classical music to audiences currently ranging around 50 million in some 100 different countries.

Vadim Garbuzov and Kathrin Menzinger have only recently turned professional. In the 2013 WDSF PD World Showdance Latin held two weeks ago in Merano, ITA, they came in fourth.

Published on 2 January 2014