Johann Strauss II | Introducing Famous and Classic Pieces
Johann Strauss II, a leading Romantic composer who was active in Vienna, Austria.
Focusing on dance music such as the Viennese waltz and the polka, a Czech folk dance, he was known as the “Waltz King” and the “Sun of Vienna.”
Moreover, having produced masterpieces in operetta as well, he was also called the “King of Operetta,” enjoying immense popularity not only in Austria but throughout Europe.
In this article, we introduce some of Strauss II’s famous and staple pieces.
Why not immerse yourself in his dazzling music?
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Johann Strauss II | Introducing Famous and Classic Pieces (1–10)
Wine, women, and songJohann Strauss II
Published in 1869, this work is characterized by its lively rhythm and captivating melody.
Symbolizing the hedonistic phrase “wine, women, and song,” the piece celebrates the joys and pleasures of life.
Although it was composed for the Vienna Men’s Choral Association, it is now often performed without vocal parts.
This is one of the pieces that solidified Johann Strauss II’s reputation as the “Waltz King,” and it remains widely beloved at classical concerts and festivals.
Do give it a listen.
Tritsch-Tratsch-PolkaJohann Strauss II
Composed by Johann Strauss II in 1858, this work is a lively and cheerful polka that musically portrays the Viennese love of gossip.
It opens with a bright introduction for strings and woodwinds, then unfolds into sprightly melodies that feel like a conversation between instruments.
Though it lasts only about two and a half minutes, it is packed with rich musical content and delights listeners.
Evoking the lighthearted chatter and gossip of Viennese high society, the piece stands as a symbol of Strauss II’s talent and Vienna’s culture, and it continues to be cherished by many to this day.
Accelerando WaltzJohann Strauss II
This dazzling waltz, published in 1860 by Johann Strauss II—nicknamed the “Waltz King”—expresses the technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution through music.
It opens with a leisurely introduction and gradually accelerates, a structure reminiscent of a steam locomotive picking up speed.
The musical flow vividly captures the exhilaration people felt at the time.
Combining elegance with dynamism, the piece was greatly beloved in Viennese high society.
It is a work that showcases Strauss II’s brilliant musical sensibility.
Johann Strauss II | Introducing Famous and Classic Pieces (11–20)
The life of an artistJohann Strauss II
It is said to be a waltz that was written in just a few days.
Its premiere was very poorly received, and Johann Strauss II reportedly lamented to his younger brother Josef about the disappointment of having failed as a composer, saying he had wanted to make it a success somehow.
Today, however, it has completely turned around and become a popular waltz.
The morning newspaperJohann Strauss II
The waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1864 is an orchestral piece themed around the morning newspaper.
Also known as “The Morning Edition,” it has no lyrics, yet its rhythmic melody conveys the quiet pleasure of picking up a newspaper and the sense of anticipation for a new day.
This brilliant and lively work was performed at Viennese balls, captivating audiences.
A distillation of Strauss II’s exceptional compositional skill and mid-19th-century Viennese culture, it’s also recommended for those who want to savor a morning moment through music.
Tales of the Vienna WoodsJohann Strauss II
Composed by Johann Strauss II in just one week, the piece was an instant hit upon its premiere.
As the title suggests, it evokes the Vienna Woods.
However, Johann Strauss II was notoriously uncomfortable with nature—almost pathologically afraid of it.
The reason he composed this waltz is unclear, yet it remains one of his most popular and representative works.
The piece also features the folk instrument, the zither.
Viennese TemperJohann Strauss II
The waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1866 is a masterpiece that expresses the charm of Vienna through music.
It is characterized by a light, lively rhythm and a brilliant melody, vividly capturing the atmosphere of Viennese high society.
It begins with the tense sounds of clarinet and pizzicato in the introduction, then unfolds into a stately first waltz theme.
In the latter half, cheerful sections are contrasted with gentle melodies, captivating the listener.
Celebrating the spirit and life of Vienna, this piece is recommended for anyone who wants to experience the atmosphere of a glittering ball.