Johann Strauss II | Introducing Famous and Classic Pieces

Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture – Seiji Ozawa, Vienna PhilharmonicJohann Strauss II

Johann Strauss II – Overture to the operetta “Die Fledermaus”

This is the Overture from the operetta Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, a composer and conductor born in 1825 who was active mainly in Vienna, Austria.

Johann Strauss II is also known as the “Waltz King” and the “King of Operetta.” Die Fledermaus is popular for its distinctive Viennese waltz melodies, and the overture in particular is often performed as a standalone orchestral piece.

Long live Hungary!Johann Strauss II

Johann Strauss II: Éljen a Magyar, Op. 332

Johann Strauss II composed “Hail to Hungary!” to celebrate the second anniversary of Hungarian autonomy.

The coda quotes the “Rákóczi March,” which honors a hero of Hungarian independence.

It has also been performed several times at the New Year’s Concert.

Thunder and LightningJohann Strauss II

Johann Strauss II – Unter Donner und Blitz (Polka Schnell), Op. 324 (with Daniel Barenboim)

With the bass drum evoking thunder and the cymbals suggesting lightning, it skillfully imitates thunder and lightning.

Although the piece progresses rapidly, rather than painting an eerie image from thunder and lightning, it has the light and enjoyable feel of riding a roller coaster.

Goddess of ReasonJohann Strauss II

Die Göttin der Vernunft NAXOS.wmv

Johann Strauss II was unenthusiastic about the composition from the outset, and his creative work progressed slowly; even by the time of the premiere, the overture had still not been completed.

While the music received a certain amount of praise, the critics’ assessment of the libretto was unfavorable.

After his death, Ferdinand Stollberg completely rewrote the libretto while leaving the music unchanged, and when it was performed, it achieved a great success surpassing the original work, “The Goddess of Reason.”

Revolutionary MarchJohann Strauss II

Revolutions-Marsch op. 54 – Johann Strauss II

When the Revolutions of 1848 broke out, Johann Strauss II was on a concert tour to Eastern Europe.

From Styria in southern Austria, he checked on the situation of the revolution in Vienna, and, judging that the citizens had the upper hand, he declared himself a supporter of the revolution and returned to Vienna.

Taking the lead among the mainly student revolutionaries, he composed pieces such as the “Revolution March,” and even performed “La Marseillaise,” the French revolutionary song that was banned in Austria, engaging in anti-government activities; as a result, he fell out of favor with the court of the time.

In the Forest of KrapfenJohann Strauss II

Johann Strauss – Im Krapfenwald’l (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta)

Because Johann Strauss II came to spend half of each year in Pavlovsk, many of his works were composed in Russia.

“In the Krapfenwaldl,” published in 1869, is one such piece; its original title was “In the Forests of Pavlovsk.” The current title was substituted for the Vienna audience.

A bird whistle is used in performance to depict the birds living in the forest.

A Night in VeniceJohann Strauss II

🎻 Johann Strauss II: Ouvertüre zu «Eine Nacht in Venedig» | #NYC2024 | #NewYearsConcert | WJSO_at ♫

It premiered on October 9, 1883.

The libretto was clumsy, which led to poor reception.

However, the excellence of the music began to attract attention, and with various revisions and adjustments, performances have continued.

There are multiple revised versions.

The opening section is a very striking piece.