The traditional New Year's Day Johann Strauss Gala by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is one of the most popular performances of the calendar – with both audience and musicians. And with very good reason.

While some music lovers snobbishly turn their nose up at Strauss as classical lite, his music is uplifting, fun and loved by millions.

The Lighthouse was packed once again for this seasonal occasion.

There was something of an extra zing in the two performances (afternoon and evening) courtesy of Viennese conductor Thomas Rosner, whose enthusiasm saw him gracefully leaping up and down on his podium and almost taking off at times.

The two hour performance was a journey through the history and culture of 19th century Central Europe and the heyday of the Austro Hungarian Empire.

Indeed one of Johann Strauss the Elder’s pieces, the lively polka Long Live the Magyar was an attempt by the composer to pull together, through his music, the divergent national groups of an empire that would crumble just a few short decades later at the end of World War One.

The BSO, led by Amyn Merchant, glided through some of the big favourites including the Emperor Waltz, Gold and Silver Waltz, Perpetuum Mobile Voices of Spring and Pizzicato Polka.

The delightful soprano Elizabeth Wells accompanied the orchestra on Be Careful from The Gypsy Baron, Czardas from Die Fledermaus and Lehar's Vilja from The Merry Widow and My Lips’ Fiery Kiss from Giuditta.

The main concert ended, where else, but On the Beautiful Blue Danube, the most popular of all waltzes but originally conceived as a vocal piece for the Vienna Men’s Choral Association.

The encore was the rousing Radetzky March which had the audience clapping along with gusto.

The Lighthouse in Poole on January 1 is not quite the same as being in the music capital of 19th century for New Year. But a pretty good substitute nevertheless.