Peter Guth

Johann Strauss Ensemble of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by director Peter Guth and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1976 / Johann Strauss Ensemble of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra / Peter Guth / Director."

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra's Johann Strauss Ensemble was founded in 1965 and is a reproduction of the orchestra in which Johann Strauss' son began his great career in 1844 at the Casino Dommayer in Hietzing, Vienna. Like his father and Joseph Lanner before him, the young Johann Strauss also spent much time playing with a small orchestra. Under the leadership of concertmaster Walter Puschacher, twelve musicians from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra founded the Johann Strauss Ensemble in 1965, with the intention of reviving traditional instrumentation. 

Following tradition, the first violinist is also the artistic director. The focus is thus on an authentic and typically Viennese interpretation of music by members of the Strauß dynasty and Joseph Lanner, as well as Wiener Klassiker (Viennese Classic) dance music.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.