Johann Strauss II

By: Cyan Rhine

Johann Strauss II…

Lived and died in Vienna, Austria.

Was born on October 25, 1825 and died June 3, 1889

Johann’s Childhood . . .

Johann Strauss II was the oldest son of the first Johann Strauss.

He’d begun composing when he was six.

Johann had two brothers, Eduard and Josef Strauss.

Influences

Johann Strauss II’s mother was a very positive influence when it came to his music.

Johann II’s father, however, was a more negative influence. Even though his father was a musician himself, he wanted Johann to become a banker.

Friends and co-workers

Johann Strauss II was good friends with Johannes Brahms.

Johann also studied with Joseph Dreschler at age nineteen.

After Johann Jr. had passed away while preparing for the showing of his ballet Aschenbrödel (Cinderalla) , he was buried near Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert.

MarriagesJohann Strauss II had three wives.

His first wife was Jetty Treffz. They’d had five children before she died of a heart attack in 1878.

His second wife was Angelika Dittrich, who didn’t support his music.

His third wife was Adele, who supported and encouraged him.

Famous works

Johann Strauss II was mostly known for his waltzes and operettas, but also composed marches and polkas.

One of his most common waltzes is An der schönen blauen Donau (The Beautiful Blue Danube.)

Some of his other notable works are the following: Egyptian March Persian MarchRoses from the South WaltzPerpetuum Mobile: Musical JokeVoices of Spring Waltz

Beautiful Blue DanubeThis song was dedicated to the Vienna’s Men Choral Society, created in 1866 and preformed February 1867.

The Blue Danube is used to describe the River Danube, which is actually very muddy.

The title of this song is actually from a line in a poem. The poet, Karl Isidor Beck, had consented to this.

The waltz has five episodes to it.

The Blue Danube was featured in the films,2001: A Space Odyssey and briefly used for (surgery?) music in the film Super Size me.

Sources~

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johann-strauss-ii-mn0000307361

http://www.8notes.com/biographies/strauss2.asp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTYymbbEL4 1:22