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Strauss Jr

Johann Strauss Jr
Dates
1825–1899
Era
Romantic (1860–1900)
Recognition
essential popular
Wikipedia

Where to start with Strauss Jr

Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles
  1. Orchestral
    An der schönen, blauen Donau, op. 314
  2. Stage
    Die Fledermaus, RV.503
  3. Vocal
    6 Lieder, op. 67, TrV 238
  4. Orchestral
    Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, op. 325
  5. Orchestral
    Kaiser-Walzer, op. 437
  6. Orchestral
    Pizzicato Polka, op. 234
  7. Orchestral
    Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, op. 214
  8. Orchestral
    's gibt nur a Kaiserstadt, 's gibt nur a Wien, op. 291
  9. Orchestral
    Abschied von St.Petersburg, op. 210
  10. Orchestral
    Abschieds-Rufe, op. 179
  11. Orchestral
    Abschieds-Walzer
  12. Orchestral
    Accelerationen, op. 234
  13. Orchestral
    Adelen-Walzer, op. 424
  14. Orchestral
    Aeols Töne, op. 68
  15. Orchestral
    Aesculap-Polka, op. 130

Listening guide

Hand-curated paths into Strauss Jr's catalogue
  1. The Blue Danube Waltz
  2. Emperor Waltz
  3. Radetzky March
  4. Die Fledermaus (operetta)
  5. Tales from the Vienna Woods

Most Acclaimed

  1. Die Fledermaus
  2. The Gypsy Baron (Der Zigeunerbaron)
  3. Emperor Waltz
  4. Perpetuum Mobile
  5. Tritsch-Tratsch Polka

Most Weird

  1. Blue Danube (complete)
    the famous first waltz is 2 minutes; the full work has four more waltzes nobody knows; it’s 10 minutes of increasingly varied waltz music
  2. Perpetuum Mobile Op. 257
    orchestra — never resolves; just gets faster; then stops abruptly
  3. Pizzicato Polka
    no bows — the entire string section is plucked; unusual texture
  4. Die Fledermaus Act 2 party scene
    the entire act is a celebration at a party thrown by Prince Orlofsky who is so bored that he will do anything to be amused
  5. Graduation Ball (posthumous ballet)
    assembled from his works by Dorati; the most charming waltz compilation

Similar composers

Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinity

Works 538