Johann Strauss II's waltz The Blue Danube is first performed in Vienna (1867)

Johann Strauss II's waltz 'The Blue Danube' was first performed on 15 February 1867 at a concert of the Vienna Men's Choral Association. The initial reception was mild, prompting Strauss to express regret over the coda's success. The work, originally for men's choir and orchestra, later gained immense popularity through an orchestral adaptation.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Johann Strauss II, an Austrian composer known as 'The Waltz King', composed 'The Blue Danube' in 1866. The piece was originally written for men's choir and orchestra, specifically for the Wiener Männergesang-Verein, a men's choir founded in 1843. The choir has regularly appeared with the Vienna Philharmonic and notable composers have composed music for it.

First Performance. The waltz was first performed on 15 February 1867 at a concert of the Vienna Men's Choral Association. The initial performance was considered only a mild success. Strauss is reputed to have said, 'The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda—I wish that had been a success!'

Reception and Legacy. Despite the mild initial success, 'The Blue Danube' became one of the most consistently popular pieces in the classical repertoire. Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World's Fair, where it became a great success. The original manuscript was dedicated to the choir.

People involved

Sources

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