200TH BIRTHDAY OF JOHANN STRAUSS II
 |
|
“I make music to touch the souls of people as it’s a language we all can speak.” — Andre Rieu Statue of Strauss in Stadtpark, Vienna |
Today October 25, 2025 would have been the 200th birthday of Austrian Composer, Johann Strauss II. To celebrate his 200th birthday, the city of Vienna has hosted a year-long program of special events. The celebrations include concerts, exhibitions, and themed events across the city to honor the "Waltz King" and his enduring legacy.
“Practicing is not only playing
your instrument, either by yourself or rehearsing with others – it also
includes imagining yourself practicing. Your brain forms the same neural
connections and muscle memory whether you are imagining the task or actually
doing it.” — Yo-Yo Ma Johann Baptist Strauss
II (/straʊs/; German: [ˈjoːhan bapˈtɪst ˈʃtʁaʊs]; 25 October 1825 – 3
June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger or the
Son (German: Johann Strauß Sohn), was an Austrian composer of light
music, particularly dance music and operettas as
well as a violinist. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles,
and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet. In
his lifetime, he was known as "The Waltz King", and was largely
responsible for the popularity of the waltz in the 19th century. Some of Johann
Strauss's most famous works include "The
Blue Danube", "Kaiser-Walzer"
(Emperor Waltz), "Tales from the Vienna Woods",
"Frühlingsstimmen", and the "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka". Among his
operettas, Die Fledermaus and Der
Zigeunerbaron are the best known. Strauss was the son of Johann
Strauss I and his first wife Maria Anna Streim. Two younger brothers, Josef
and Eduard Strauss, also became composers of light
music, although they were never as well known as their brother.
I will post this playlist from Dutch violinist, Andre Rieu where he dedicated it to the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II, before I post other waltz and music from Strauss II, and write my thoughts.
André Rieu celebrating 200 years of Strauss
Jun 14, 2025
Join
André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra in this magnificent tribute to 200
years of Johann Strauss, the Waltz King. Hit play and waltz through 200 years
of Strauss with this special playlist: 
• 200 Years of Strauss
Experience the joy, elegance, and timeless beauty of Strauss’s music brought.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering Strauss for the first time, this
collection captures the magic of classical music that unites audiences across
the globe. As part of this special celebration, André Rieu is also opening up
his personal archives to share some of his earliest Strauss performances — rare
and unforgettable moments that show the journey of a lifelong passion for the
music of Strauss.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/tyGrmoqC4ys?si=3FVidMzu84Fs1Im0
Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbv4mtcyLmhJn80s6CODxqd0MScQZwvJC&si=v2nkLUCazAM137Aj
The Blue Danube:
Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube Waltz
Sep 17, 2008 #Waltz #Strauss #Orchestra
Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube Waltz, composed in 1867 The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau op. 314 (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), a waltz by Johann Strauss II, composed in 1867. Originally performed 9 February 1867 at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association), it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_CTYymbbEL4?si=ksqWnm8Jds8N7aN2
 |
|
“Praise ye
the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his
power. Painting of Johann Strauss II conducting [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.wien.info/en/now-on/johann-strauss-the-waltz-king-702064] |
Die Fledermaus Overture:
Johann Strauss II - Die Fledermaus Overture
Aug 18, 2008 #Strauss #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic
Johann Strauss II - Die Fledermaus Overture Die Fledermaus (in English: The Bat;' in French: La Chauve-souris') is an operetta composed by Johann Strauss II to a German libretto by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/gPybrOxRoT4?si=HhLm7-0Gca8mO8Uo
Please go to watch and listen to Die Fledermaus Overture from 4:00 to 9:00 of this video:
Anabaptist Orchestra Camp 2024 Concert - Dover OH
Aug 12, 2024
The Anabaptist Orchestra Camp performing their 2024 concert at the Dover High School Auditorium in Dover, OH.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvX-E5bP-WE
 |
|
Anabaptist Orchestra Camp [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1079582187308885&set=a.522092593057850] |
My Thoughts:
Like Bach and Handel, I admire Johann Strauss II. I love his music and I enjoy listening to him. Having been to Austria 5 times, I visited his monument. André Rieu was heavily inspired by Johann Strauss II, to the point that he formed the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and named it in the composer's honor. That is why I follow Rieu.
I also recommend the Anabaptist Orchestra Camp - an extended ministry of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp, offering instrumentalists an opportunity to interact with each other and grow as Christian musicians. They also play music from Strauss II.
 |
|
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” - Johann Sebastian Bach [PHOTO SOURCE: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/181973641181368142/] |
MUSIC CAMP LINKS:
Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children's education.
- Yo-Yo Ma
Shenandoah Christian Music Camp strengthens communities with biblically-rooted music and worship resources. Our vision is to see disciples whose music-making reflects Jesus. While we focus on Anabaptist groups, our programs are open to all Christians seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ.
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/04/introducing-shenandoah-christian-music.html
https://www.facebook.com/shenandoahchristianmusiccamp
https://www.youtube.com/@BrandenbergerFamily/featured
Learn all there is to learn, and then choose your own path. - George Frideric Handel
HANDEL’S MESSIAH (PREMIERED ON APRIL 13, 1742)
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/04/handels-messiah-premiered-on-april-13.html
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. - Revelation 11:15 (KJV)
HANDEL’S MESSIAH – HALLELUJAH
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/04/handels-messiah-hallelujah.html
Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens. - Maria von Trapp
THE STOTLZFUS FAMILY MUSICAL GROUP
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-stotlzfus-family-musical-group.html
Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence. - Johann Sebastian Bach
BEN AND ROSE – THE AMISH SINGING COUPLE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/03/ben-and-rose-amish-singing-couple.html
It's a small community, the classical music community, along with the excitement of new places and new things and this feeling of being at home wherever you go because that's where your community is. – Joshua Roman
THE THIRD FRET HARMONY – AMISH FAMILY MUSICAL GROUP
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-third-fret-harmony-amish-family.html
“I make music to touch the souls of people as it’s a language we all can speak.” — Andre Rieu
The McCallum Family Musical Group
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-mccallum-family-musical-group.html
“Practicing is not only playing your instrument, either by yourself or rehearsing with others – it also includes imagining yourself practicing. Your brain forms the same neural connections and muscle memory whether you are imagining the task or actually doing it.” — Yo-Yo Ma
Anabaptist Orchestra Camp is an extended ministry of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp, offering instrumentalists an opportunity to interact with each other and grow as Christian musicians.
https://www.facebook.com/OrchestraCamp
https://www.orchestracamp.info
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/sing-a-new-song
Comments
Post a Comment