Johann Strauss II Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Pizzicato PolkaJohann Strauss II22rank/position

Strauss Pizzicato Polka. Mariss Jansons & WPO

A piece co-composed by Johann Strauss II and his brother Josef in 1869.

It is a light, humorous work performed entirely pizzicato.

In the middle section, a glockenspiel joins in, adding an even more comical touch.

A popular staple of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert, it is often played as an encore.

Its bright, cheerful atmosphere is charming, making it enjoyable even for newcomers to classical music.

It has also been used in commercials and anime, and is beloved by a wide audience.

Persian MarchJohann Strauss II23rank/position

The Persian March by Johann Strauss II, Maciej Tomasiewicz & Polish Youth Symphony Orchestra

It was dedicated to the Shah of Persia (modern-day Iran).

In Russia, the work’s title was “Persian Army March,” but its premiere under the current title took place that December at a charity concert in Vienna.

The Persian monarch did not visit Vienna for the first time until nine years later, in 1873.

Rather than a heavy, militaristic march, it is a march intended to evoke the Middle East.

Waltz “Vienna Temperament”Johann Strauss II24rank/position

Waltz “Viennese Temper” composed by Johann Strauss II

It’s a beautiful, fantasy-like piece that feels like dancing at a fairy-tale ball.

For classic moments like the cake-cutting, a song like this would be lovely.

It’s a waltz, but it has some standout, exciting sections, and if the emcee skillfully guides the couple in time with the music, the main scene is sure to be a success.

Waltz “Voices of Spring”Johann Strauss II25rank/position

[150,000 Views] Johann Strauss II: Voices of Spring — Hiroshi Yoshida, conductor; Teatro Comunale di Bologna Philharmonic

A work by Johann Strauss II, known as the “Waltz King,” and a familiar piece from the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.

Its flowing waltz melody is radiant, evoking the warmth of spring sunshine.

Carried by the pleasant rhythm of the strings, the flute and violin sing lightly, conjuring images of dancers stepping elegantly and gliding through a waltz.

The piece is captivating for its phrases like the gentle murmur of a peaceful stream and its splendid climax.

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Waltz “Artist’s Life,” Op. 316Johann Strauss II26rank/position

J. Strauss II: Waltz ‘Artist’s Life,’ Op. 316 / Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Willi Boskovsky

Johann Strauss II was born in Vienna in 1804.

His father, Johann I, produced numerous dance pieces and was known as the “Father of the Waltz.” In 1867, Johann II composed the waltz “Artist’s Life,” a piece that depicts a lively gathering of Viennese artists.

Accelerando WaltzJohann Strauss II27rank/position

Accelerationen op. 234 – Johann 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.

One Thousand and One NightsJohann Strauss II28rank/position

Tausend und eine Nacht, Walzer, Op. 346

This piece is a waltz born from the operetta Indigo and the Forty Thieves.

It masterfully fuses an enchanting melody reminiscent of the world of the Arabian Nights with the splendor of Vienna.

The music, woven from a lively rhythm and Oriental motifs, invites listeners on an exotic adventure.

Premiered in 1871, this work is a masterpiece that showcases Strauss’s talent to the fullest.

Please enjoy this dazzling and captivating music that conjures images of dancers swirling across the ballroom.