Strauss, Johann << strows or shtrows, YOH hahn >>, Jr. (1825-1899), was an Austrian composer who became known as the “Waltz King.” Strauss composed nearly 400 waltzes that represent the peak of their style. He also composed other popular orchestral dance works and 16 operettas. In addition, he was a violinist and the leader of a successful orchestra that played light music.
Strauss’s music includes all the popular dance types of the mid-1800’s in Austria, notably the waltz, polka, and quadrille. He also wrote many marches. The long, lyrical melodies of Strauss’s waltzes dominate the music, while unusual rhythmic patterns disguise or cover the 3/4 waltz meter. Strauss’s most popular operettas include Die Fledermaus (The Bat, 1874) and Die Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron, 1885).
Strauss was born on Oct. 25, 1825, in Vienna. He was the oldest son of composer Johann Strauss, Sr. The father wanted his three sons—Josef, Johann, and Eduard—to enter business when they were old enough. However, his wife wanted them to have some musical training. With her encouragement, Johann received violin lessons secretly from a member of his father’s orchestra. Johann, Jr., received more thorough musical training after Johann, Sr., left his family in 1842 to live with his mistress.
Loading the player...Egyptian March by Johann Strauss, Jr.
When he was almost 19, Strauss formed a small orchestra that performed with great success. The orchestra soon was a rival to his father’s orchestra. After Johann, Sr., died in 1849, Johann, Jr., merged the two orchestras. The group performed throughout Austria, Germany, Poland, and Russia.
Loading the player...Leichtes Blut by Johann Strauss, Jr.
From 1863 to 1871, Strauss served as music director of the court balls in Vienna. During this period, he wrote such famous waltzes as “On the Beautiful, Blue Danube” (1867), “Tales from the Vienna Woods” (1868), and “Wine, Women, and Song” (1869).
Loading the player...On the Beautiful, Blue Danube
In 1871, Strauss gave up his music director position and began to compose operettas. He also composed many other popular waltzes, including “Vienna Blood” (1873) and “The Emperor Waltz” (1888). Among Strauss’s popular polkas are “Thunder and Lightning” (1868) and “Pizzicato Polka” (1870), which he composed with his brother Josef. Johann Strauss, Jr., died on June 3, 1899.
Loading the player...Emperor Waltz
