Johann Strauss II, often referred to as Johann Strauss Jr. or simply “The Waltz King,” is a name synonymous with the golden age of Viennese music. Born on October 25, 1825, in Vienna, Austria, Strauss Jr. was the son of Johann Strauss Sr., a renowned composer and conductor known for his dance music and marches, including the famous “Radetzky March.” Despite the towering legacy of his father, Johann Strauss II carved out his own path, becoming one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. His contributions to the waltz and operetta genres made him a celebrated figure not only in Austria but across the world.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Johann Strauss II was born into a musically illustrious family. His father, Johann Strauss Sr., was already a celebrated figure in the world of music, having established a successful orchestra that performed throughout Central Europe. However, despite his father’s fame and success, young Johann’s early forays into music were met with resistance. Johann Strauss Sr. was adamant that his son should not follow in his footsteps and instead pushed him towards a career in banking. This opposition forced Strauss Jr. to pursue his musical interests in secret, with the support of his mother and the guidance of musicians from his father’s orchestra.
By the time Strauss II was 18, he had formed his own orchestra, consisting of a modest group of 15 musicians. Despite the small size of the ensemble, the young composer quickly made a name for himself, attracting considerable attention and accolades. His orchestra soon became a formidable competitor to his father’s, marking the beginning of a long-standing rivalry that extended beyond the realm of music and into their personal lives.
The Father-Son Rivalry: A Tale of Two Johann Strausses
The rivalry between Johann Strauss Sr. and Johann Strauss Jr. was not just a clash of musical talents but also a reflection of the broader generational and ideological differences of the time. In 1844, as the revolutionary fervor was brewing across Europe, Johann Strauss Jr. composed marches for the liberal cause, aligning himself with the burgeoning movement for political and social reform. In stark contrast, his father, a staunch conservative, composed music that supported the established order.
This political divide only deepened the personal and professional rivalry between father and son. Johann Strauss Sr.’s death in 1849 marked a turning point in Strauss Jr.’s career. With his father no longer a competitor, Johann Strauss Jr. merged the two orchestras and embarked on a series of tours across Austria, Germany, Poland, and Russia. These tours solidified his reputation as a leading composer and conductor, but they also took a toll on his health, leading him to scale back his frenetic pace in favor of a more balanced life.
The Rise of the Strauss Orchestra: A Family Affair
In the early 1850s, Johann Strauss II’s life took a new direction when his younger brother Josef joined him. Josef Strauss had initially pursued a career in engineering, but at the urging of his family, he left his studies to assist Johann in managing the orchestra. This collaboration allowed Johann to focus more on composition, while Josef took on a significant portion of the conducting responsibilities. The orchestra’s growing success soon attracted their youngest brother, Eduard, who also joined the family business.
The Strauss brothers’ collaboration proved to be a turning point. The Strauss Orchestra became the dominant force in Viennese dance music, effectively establishing a monopoly on the genre in Austria. The orchestra’s fame was such that it often had to be split into smaller groups to perform at multiple venues simultaneously. This period also saw Johann Strauss II compose some of his most famous works, including the waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube,” which remains one of the most iconic pieces of music associated with Vienna.
The Golden Years: Strauss at the Viennese Court
The 1860s were a period of personal and professional triumph for Johann Strauss II. In 1862, he married Jetty Treffz, a soprano who played a significant role in managing his career and ensuring his continued success. Around this time, Strauss was appointed as the director of court balls in Vienna, a prestigious position that further cemented his status as the leading composer of dance music in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
During his tenure at the Viennese court, Strauss composed many of his most celebrated works, including “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” in 1867. This waltz, written for the Vienna Men’s Choral Society, quickly became an international sensation, performed by orchestras around the world. In 1872, Strauss conducted a performance of the piece in Boston, USA, where an orchestra of 20,000 musicians played under his direction. This grand spectacle was so vast that a cannon blast was used to signal the start of the performance, ensuring that all musicians began in unison.
The Move to Operetta: A New Chapter in Strauss’ Career
As the 1870s progressed, Johann Strauss II began to explore new musical forms. Inspired by the success of Jacques Offenbach’s operettas, Strauss turned his attention to composing operettas of his own. His first major success in this genre was “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) in 1874, a work that remains one of the most frequently performed operettas to this day. “Die Fledermaus” was followed by other successful operettas, including “Der Zigeunerbaron” (The Gypsy Baron) in 1885.
These works marked a significant shift in Strauss’ career, showcasing his versatility as a composer and his ability to adapt to changing musical tastes. While his waltzes continued to be beloved by audiences, the operettas allowed Strauss to reach new heights of fame and artistic expression.
Touring Italy: An International Sensation
In 1874, Johann Strauss II embarked on a highly successful tour of Italy, arranged by impresario Ducci of Florence. This tour, which included 21 concerts across Italy’s major cities, was notable not only for the music performed but also for the considerable sum Strauss was paid—120,000 lire in gold. This tour underscored Strauss’ status as an international sensation, beloved by audiences far beyond the borders of Austria.
The tour was not without its challenges. At the time, Strauss’ own orchestra was committed to performances in Austria, forcing him to collaborate with Julius Langerbach’s ensemble for the Italian concerts. Despite these logistical hurdles, the tour was a resounding success, further enhancing Strauss’ international reputation.
Personal Life and Later Years
Johann Strauss II’s personal life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. In 1878, he was widowed when his first wife, Jetty Treffz, passed away. Less than two months after her death, Strauss remarried Ernestine Angelika Henriette Dittrich, a much younger actress from Wroclaw (then Breslau, in Prussian Silesia). The couple had met through Gustav Lewy, a music publisher and childhood friend of Strauss. Their marriage, however, proved to be unhappy, with tensions arising from their age difference and differing backgrounds.
Despite these personal difficulties, Strauss continued to compose and perform. In 1892, he even ventured into writing comic opera with “Ritter Pázmán,” though the work failed to achieve the success he had hoped for. As the 19th century drew to a close, Strauss’ health began to decline. He passed away on June 3, 1899, in Vienna at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy that would influence generations of musicians and composers.
The Legacy of Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II’s contributions to music cannot be overstated. He is credited with elevating the waltz from a simple dance form to a sophisticated art form that captured the imagination of audiences around the world. His works, characterized by their melodic richness and rhythmic vitality, have become synonymous with the elegance and charm of 19th-century Vienna.
Strauss’ influence extended beyond the waltz to include operetta, a genre that he helped popularize through works like “Die Fledermaus” and “Der Zigeunerbaron.” These operettas, with their lighthearted plots and memorable melodies, played a crucial role in shaping the development of musical theater in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The enduring popularity of Johann Strauss II’s music is a testament to his genius as a composer. His works continue to be performed and celebrated around the world, from grand concert halls to intimate chamber ensembles. The annual New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, which features many of Strauss’ most famous pieces, is a beloved tradition that highlights the timeless appeal of his music.
Conclusion
Johann Strauss II, the “Waltz King,” was a composer who transcended the musical trends of his time to create works of lasting beauty and appeal. His life, marked by both personal challenges and professional triumphs, is a testament to his dedication to his art and his ability to connect with audiences across generations. Whether through his elegant waltzes or his sparkling operettas, Strauss left an indelible mark on the world of music, one that continues to resonate with listeners to this day.
