Classical Music / Composer's Datebook: 25 October
A brief biography of Johann Strauss II, Austrian composer and conductor, known as "The Waltz King", his waltzes rich in melody and charm.
Johann Baptist Strauss II (25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), is also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger or the Son (German: Sohn). He was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet.
His most famous of all waltzes, 'TheBlue Danube' was originally entitled 'On the Beautiful Blue Danube', and first performed with verses. Whatever this master of light music set his hand to, the same graceful and elegant Viennese mood of melody shine through. Strauss's other key works include: waltzes 'Roses from the South' and 'Emperor', operetta 'Die Fledermaus' and 'A night in Venice', among others
In his lifetime, he was known as "The Waltz King", and was largely responsible for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century. Some of Johann Strauss's most famous works include "The Blue Danube", "Kaiser-Walzer" (Emperor Waltz), "Tales from the Vienna Woods", "Frühlingsstimmen", and the "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka". Among his operettas, Die Fledermaus and Der Zigeunerbaron are the best known.
Strauss was the son of Johann Strauss I and his first wife Maria Anna Streim. Two younger brothers, Josef and Eduard Strauss, also became composers of light music, although they were never as well known as their brother.
Early Years of Johann Strauss II
Strauss II writes his first waltz tune at a young age and begins violin lessons in secret because of his father's opposition. He was about 12 years old when his father abandons his family for another woman. After an unhappy period as a bank clerk, Strauss Jr. forms his own dance orchestra.
Later Years as Composer and Conductor
On the death of his father in 1849, Strauss Jr. merges his orchestra with his father's with his brother Josef conducting the first Strauss Orchestra.
At the age of 37, he marries Jetty Treffz, the first of his three wives.
In 1872, he conducts 20,000 singers and orchestra with 10,000 musicians in Boston, USA.
Johann Strauss II Key Works
1858 Polkas, Champagne, Tritsch-Tratsch
1862 Musical scherzo, Perpetuum Mobile
1867 Waltzes, The Blue Danube, An Artist's Life
1868 Waltz, Tales from the Vienna Woods; polka, Thunder and Lightning
1870 Waltz, Vienna Blood
1874 Operetta, Die Fledermaus (The Bat) ---> Die Fledermaus: Overture
1880 Waltz, Roses from the South
1885 Operetta, Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gipsy Baron) ---> Der Zigeunerbaron: Overture
1889 Waltz, Emperor
Johann Strauss II no doubt deserves the title 'The Waltz King', his waltzes truly second to none in melody. However, he also wrote with equal ease in rhythms other than waltzes, like his dashing polkas. He wasn't either limited to dances, having composed famous brilliant operettas. We are forever grateful for his legacy of graceful Viennese mood and love of melodies that continue to shine through in our hearts and lives.
Photo Credit:
Johann Strauss II (Jr). Public Domain
Resources:
Johann Strauss II. en.Wikipedia.org. Accessed 25 October 2011.
Kennedy, Michael & Joyce & Tim Rutherford-Johnson, Eds. Oxford Dictionary of Music. London: Oxford UP. 2012.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music (New Updated Edition). London: Macmillan Publishers. 1994.
(c) October 2022. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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