Today marks the 110th year anniversary of the death of Austrian waltz and operetta composer Johann Strauss, Jr. He was the eldest son of acclaimed composer and conductor Johann Strauss who discouraged his son from following in his footsteps. Johann Jr. surreptiously studied composition with Joseph Dreschler and formed his own orchestra of 24 instrumentalists in 1844 to antagonize his father. He even had the temerity to conduct his own works as well as his father's.
With his father's death, he combined his orchestra with his father's and had successful European tours. He had a lucrative career by directing the summer concerts in Petropaulovsky Park in St Petersburg from 1855-1865 as well as the Austrian court balls from 1863–1872. His creative output of nearly 400 waltzes earned him the sobriquet the "Waltz King". His popular ones include the Blue Danube, Roses from the South, the Emperor Waltz and Tales from the Vienna Woods.
Due to the success of Offenbach's operas in Vienna, Strauss was inspired to write operas; his 1874 operetta Die Fledermaus received international fame and recognition and is part of the standard repertory. His polkas and marches are frequently heard on New Year's Eve programs.
I hope you enjoy this 2005 New Year's concert of the Blue Danube by Lorin Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic:
