Johann Strauss II, often referred to as the “Waltz King,” was one of the most influential composers of 19th-century dance music. His works, including The Blue Danube and Tales from the Vienna Woods, helped define the golden age of Viennese waltzes and polkas. Among his many celebrated compositions is Annen-Polka, Op. 117, a lively and elegant piece dedicated to Saint Anne’s Day, an important religious and social celebration in Austria.

Origins and Dedication

Composed in 1852, Annen-Polka was written for the annual St. Anne’s Day festivities in Vienna. The name “Annen” (German for “Anne”) refers to Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, whose feast day is celebrated on July 26th. During this period, open-air concerts and social gatherings were common in Vienna’s Prater Park, where Strauss frequently performed his new compositions to an enthusiastic public.

Strauss dedicated Annen-Polka to the women of Vienna, capturing the festive and romantic spirit of the occasion with a light, graceful melody and an energetic rhythmic drive. The piece became an instant favorite and was frequently played at dances and concerts throughout Austria.

Musical Characteristics

Annen-Polka showcases Strauss’s signature style, blending lyrical charm with rhythmic vitality. The composition follows the standard polka structure, featuring:

• A bright and cheerful introduction
• A series of melodic phrases that build excitement
• A central trio section with a contrasting theme
• A lively return to the main melody, concluding with a spirited flourish

The piece exudes a sense of joy and refinement, making it a popular choice for ballrooms and celebrations.

Popularity and Legacy

Following its premiere, Annen-Polka became a staple in Strauss’s concert repertoire and remains one of his most beloved polkas. It is frequently performed in Vienna’s New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, an annual event that celebrates the works of the Strauss family and Austrian musical heritage.

In addition to orchestral performances, Annen-Polka has been adapted for various instrumentations, including piano arrangements and chamber ensembles. Its enduring appeal lies in its delightful melodies and lively character, capturing the essence of 19th-century Viennese dance music.

Conclusion

Annen-Polka, Op. 117, is a shining example of Johann Strauss II’s ability to craft elegant and entertaining dance music. Dedicated to the joyous celebrations of St. Anne’s Day, the piece continues to enchant audiences with its charm and festive spirit. Whether performed in grand concert halls or intimate gatherings, Annen-Polka remains a testament to the timeless beauty of Strauss’s music.

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The Story Behind “The Blue Danube” by Strauss

In 1865, Johann Herbeck, choirmaster of the Vienna Men’s Choral Society, commissioned Strauss to write a choral work; due to the composer’s other commitments the piece wasn’t even started. The following year, Austria was defeated by Prussia in the Seven Weeks’ War. Aggravated by post-war economic depression, Viennese morale was at a low and so Strauss was encouraged to revisit his commission and write a joyful waltz song to lift the country’s spirit.

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Wiener Blut (‘Viennese Blood’ or ‘Viennese Spirit’) Op. 354 is a waltz by Johann Strauss II first performed by the composer on 22 April 1873. The new dedication waltz was to celebrate the wedding of the Emperor Franz Joseph I’s daughter Archduchess Gisela Louise Maria and Prince Leopold of Bavaria. However, the waltz was also chiefly noted by Strauss’ biographers as the début of Strauss with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra where for many years, the Philharmonic had dismissed any association with the ‘Waltz King’ as it had not wished to be associated with mere ‘light’ or ‘pops’ music. The festival ball celebrating the event was held at the Musikverein Hall which is the venue for the present day Neujahrskonzert.

‘Wiener Blut’ is one of a handful of late works by Strauss that were not composed for the stage; at this point in his career he was concentrating on writing for the performing stage, and not for the ballroom, and had written at least two operettas before penning this waltz, with Die Fledermaus still to come.

Johann Strauss Jr – Wiener Blut Op. 354 – Waltz

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Happy Classical Music – Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Vivaldi, Strauss

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), this article is about the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present day, which includes the Classical period and various other periods. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common-practice period.

Tracklist:
1 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act I No.7. Dance of the Flutes
2 – Vivaldi – Violin Concerto in E major I. Allegro
3 – Joh Strauss – Fruhlingsstimmen Op.410
4 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act I No.1. Overture
5 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act I No.3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
6 – Mozart – Piano Concerto no. 21 in C major
7 – Vivaldi – Violin Concerto in F major I. Allegro
8 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act I
9 – Vivaldi – Violin Concerto in F major III. Allegro
10 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act I
11 – Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker Suite – Act II

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Johann Strauss II (born Johann Baptist Strauss; 25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger, the Son (German: Sohn), son of Johann Strauss I, 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. 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”, and the “Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka”. Among his operettas, Die Fledermaus and Der Zigeunerbaron are the best known.
Strauss had two younger brothers, Josef and Eduard Strauss, who became composers of light music as well, although they were never as well known as their older brother.

Johann Strauss Jr

Waltz medley

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Johann Strauss II (born Johann Baptist Strauss; 25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger, the Son (German: Sohn), son of Johann Strauss I, 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. 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”, and the “Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka”. Among his operettas, Die Fledermaus and Der Zigeunerbaron are the best known.

Strauss had two younger brothers, Josef and Eduard Strauss, who became composers of light music as well, although they were never as well known as their older brother.

Johann Strauss II

Russischer Marsch Fantasie Op. 353

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Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437 (Emperor Waltz) is a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1889. The waltz was originally titled Hand in Hand and was intended as a toast made in August of that year by Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph I on the occasion of his visit to the German Emperor Wilhelm II where it was symbolic as a ‘toast of friendship’ extended by Austria-Hungary to the German Empire.

Strauss’ publisher, Fritz Simrock, suggested the title Kaiser-Walzer since the title could allude to either monarch, and thus satisfy the vanity of both rulers. The waltz was first performed in Berlin on 21 October 1889. The original cover of the piano edition bore the illustration of the Austrian Imperial Crown.

Johann Strauss

Emperor Waltz Op. 437

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Johann Strauss – Polka Champagne Op. 211

Johann Strauss I (German: Johann Baptist Strauß, Johann Strauss (Vater); also Johann Baptist Strauss, Johann Strauss Sr., the Elder, the Father; March 14, 1804 – September 25, 1849) was an Austrian Romantic composer. He was famous for his waltzes, and he popularized them alongside Joseph Lanner, thereby setting the foundations for his sons to carry on his musical dynasty. He is perhaps best known for his composition of the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz).

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Johann Strauss – Rosen aus dem Süden Op. 388

Johann Strauss I (German: Johann Baptist Strauß, Johann Strauss (Vater); also Johann Baptist Strauss, Johann Strauss Sr., the Elder, the Father; March 14, 1804 – September 25, 1849) was an Austrian Romantic composer. He was famous for his waltzes, and he popularized them alongside Joseph Lanner, thereby setting the foundations for his sons to carry on his musical dynasty. He is perhaps best known for his composition of the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz).

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Johann Strauss – Klange aus der Raimundzeit Op. 479

as Werk entstand vor dem Hintergrund einer Denkmalsenthüllung für Ferdinand Raimund (1790–1836). Am Vorabend der eigentlichen Enthüllung des Denkmals fand im Deutschen Volkstheater in Wien ein Festakt zu Ehren des 1836 verstorbenen Dichters statt. Für diese Veranstaltung hat Johann Strauss diese Komposition geschaffen. Es handelt sich bei dem Werk im wörtlichen Sinne um eine Komposition, nämlich um eine Zusammenstellung von Musikstücken aus der Zeit des Dichters. Dabei wurden unter anderem Kompositionen von Josef Lanner und Johann Strauss (Vater) und Motive aus Bühnenmusiken zu Raimunds Werken verwendet. Für Johann Strauss (Sohn) war das Werk auch ein Rückblick in seine eigene Jugendzeit. Viele der zitierten Werke waren damals (in seinen jungen Jahren) noch aktuell. Das Werk wurde das Letzte, das in dem Werkeverzeichnis von Johann Strauss (op. 479) aufgelistet wurde. Dazu passend sind die beiden letzten in diesem Werk zitierten Lieder (Brüderlein fein einmal muß geschieden sein bzw. So leb’ denn wohl, du stilles Haus). Beide Lieder thematisieren den Abschied. Ob das von Strauss als Hinweis auf seinen eigenen Abschied verstanden werden wollte sei dahingestellt. Rückblickend würde es passen. Er hatte mit dem Werk sein letztes Opus verfasst und er starb etwa ein Jahr nach der Uraufführung dieses Werkes am 3. Juni 1899.

Die Spieldauer beträgt auf der unter Einzelnachweis angeführten CD 7 Minuten und 46 Sekunden. Je nach der musikalischen Auffassung des Dirigenten kann diese Zeit etwas variieren.

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