Johann Strauss II Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Overture to the operetta “Die Fledermaus”Johann Strauss II43rank/position

Strauss II – Overture from Die Fledermaus (Orchestre de Paris)

Johann Strauss II, a composer emblematic of Vienna.

His work Die Fledermaus is an operetta set in 19th-century Vienna.

The overture is distinguished by lively, elegant Viennese waltz melodies.

Its music, bubbling like champagne, brilliantly conveys the comic atmosphere of the entire piece.

It premiered in 1874 at the Theater an der Wien.

The story, woven from disguises and deceptions, satirizes the glitter and frivolity of the social scene of the time and brims with humor.

It’s a perfect piece for anyone who wants to savor the charm of Vienna through music.

Waltz “Voices of Spring” with solo voiceJohann Strauss II44rank/position

Strauss – Kathleen Battle – Frühlingsstimmen – Voices of Spring

The brilliantly festive and joy-filled piece Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring) is a world-famous vocal waltz composed by Johann Strauss II, inspired when his close friend, the great pianist Franz Liszt, was playing an improvised piano duet with the hostess at a party in Budapest, Hungary.

Pizzicato PolkaJohann Strauss II45rank/position

Johann Strauss II & Josef Strauss: Pizzicato Polka

The distinctive features of this piece are that it is performed solely with string instruments and that it is played not by bowing the strings but only by plucking them.

Although it uses a simple plucking technique—pon, pon—it offers a variety of tonal expressions, making it an enjoyable piece.

Overture To Die Fledermaus, Op. 362Johann Strauss II46rank/position

Johann Strauss – Overture “Die Fledermaus” (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta)

This is a commercial that aired during the 2016 Christmas season.

A grandmother who is avidly watching a figure skating broadcast receives a gift from her son: letting a Volkswagen glide across the ice rink! The music is known as Johann Strauss II’s “Bat Polka,” performed by the Royal Philharmonic.

Let all the people join handsJohann Strauss II47rank/position

Johann Strauss II Waltz "By the Beautiful Blue Danube"

Johann Strauss II was not very enthusiastic about composing this waltz for the exposition.

However, persuaded by Princess Metternich and the librettist, he released the waltz—originally intended to be dedicated to his close friend Brahms—under the title “Hand in Hand, All Ye People.”

In the Forest of KrapfenJohann Strauss II48rank/position

J. Strauss II: Im Krapfenwald’l – Polka française, Op. 336

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.

Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture – Seiji Ozawa, Vienna PhilharmonicJohann Strauss II49rank/position

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.