PRESENTATION OF THE GOLDEN JOHANN STRAUSS AWARD 2019
to
Zubin Mehta
On 11th June 2019 the Golden Johann Strauss Award was given to Zubin Mehta. The ceremony was held in the Marchfelderhof Restaurant in Deutsch-Wagram.
In his keynote speech Peter Widholz, President of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna, pointed out that Zubin Mehta had received this award not only because he had brilliantly directed six New Year’s Concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, but also because the Maestro had frequently included works of Johann Strauss in his international programmes, which he had interpreted at the highest level.

The Maestro was welcomed by a local band in front of the Marchfelderhof Restaurant and immediately took the opportunity to wield the baton himself.

A commemorative marble plaque was unveiled on the outer wall of the Marchfelderhof Restaurant (the Maestro with his wife Nancy and Gerhard Bocek, owner of the restaurant).

A new type of wine, which had especially been created for this occasion, was ceremoniously tasted that evening.

Vice President Resel ( left) and President Widholz (right) presenting the award. The award winner expressed his thanks in a witty speech.

Paying homage to Zubin Mehta, the Küchl-Quartett played compositions by Johann Strauss. Among the numerous prominent guests were Nina and Felix Adlon, Martina and Werner Fasslabend, Bernhard Heher, Stefan Paryla-Raki, Kurt Rydl, Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer, Jolantha Seyfried and Bruno Thost.
A detailed report on this festive event can be found on the private channel TV21