Bicentenary Of The Birth Of Johann Strauss II

The eldest of Johann and Anna Strauss’s six children, Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) never enjoyed the support of his father, in spite of the extraordinary talent that saw him compose his first waltz at the tender age of six. It was not until the pater familias’ death in 1849 that Johann Strauss II was truly able to embark on his musical conquest of the salons and courts of Europe, touring with his orchestra. He won over the entire world. Charismatic and supremely gifted, he had legions of devoted fans, much like the pop stars of the present day. The peak of Strauss the Younger’s popularity coincided with that of Emperor Franz-Joseph and Vienna’s cultural hegemony over the European continent in the 19thcentury. His waltzes - Wiener Blut, Kaiser-Walzer, The Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, and so many others, were acclaimed the world over. He elevated the waltz from a mere ballroom dance to a musical masterpiece.