Blue Danube

This is the other CD that confirmed my impression about Vienna as a vibrant cultural centre of Europe.

Its composer, Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899), is best remembered for his numerous waltzes and other musical compositions. The Blue Danube is one of the most popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire.

He was born in Vienna, the eldest son of the celebrated composer and violinist Johann Strauss Sr. who was adamantly opposed to the idea of his son pursuing a career in music. He wanted him to enter the banking profession.

However, the young Johann displayed musical talent at an early age. He began composing when he was six years old. His mother secretly arranged for him to study violin with the leader of his father's dance orchestra.

When the senior Strauss left the family, Johann pursued additional formal musical training. In 1844 he formed his own orchestra and made his professional debut as concertmaster and conductor, performing both his own works and those of his father.

After the death of Johann Strauss Sr. in 1849, the two orchestras were combined and Johann engaged his brothers Josef and Eduard, both composers, as conductors and violinists.

Johann Strauss Jr. enjoyed tremendous success as composer and conductor, touring Europe, Russia, and the United States. Most of his better known dances were composed during the 1860's and early 1870's. He was deemed the true heir of his father's musical legacy and earned the title "The Waltz King" because of his prolific output and international visits.

The Viennese waltz was brought to its highest form with Johann’s gifted melody and interesting harmonic structure. He was very much in the public eye, both in Vienna and in his international travels, to become the most prominent of the Strauss family members.

The Blue Danube, his best-known work, was written in 1867. Its initial performance was only a mild success. After adapting it into a purely orchestral version for the World's Fair in Paris, it became a great success.

The instrumental version is the most commonly performed today. The sentimental connotations have made it an unofficial national anthem of Austria.

Each year at the world-famous New Year celebrations in Vienna, the Blue Danube is a must among other favourites. It is traditionally broadcast by television and radio stations exactly at midnight.