Wiener Blut (waltz)

For the operetta by Strauss of the same name, please see Wiener Blut.

Wiener Blut ('Viennese Blood' or 'Viennese Spirit') op. 354 is a waltz by Johann Strauss II first performed by the composer on 22 April 1873. The new dedication waltz was to celebrate the wedding of the Emperor Franz Josef's daughter Archduchess Gisela Louise Maria and Prince Leopold of Bavaria. However, the waltz was also chiefly noted by Strauss' biographers as the début of Strauss with the world-reknowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra where for many years, the Philharmonic has dismissed any association with the 'Waltz King' as it does not wish to be held in the same regard with mere 'light' or 'pops' music. The festival ball celebrating the event was held at the famed Musikverein Hall which is the venue for the famous present day Neujahrskonzert.

At this point of his career, Strauss was in fact concentrating on writing music for the stage, in particular, operettas. Many of his individual pieces dating from this period were culled from many of his stage works of which 'Wiener Blut' is a distinguished exception. The waltz begins with a high spirited melody in C major with references to later waltz sections briefly played. It is the gentle first waltz melody which is instantly recognisable, with lyrical grace and an enthusiasm not apparent in his earlier light-hearted creations. As a piece befitting the wedding of the royalty, the waltz has its moments of grandeur (Section 3) where a triumphant melody in the home key of C major gave way into a rousing Viennese tune. The waltz has only 4 two-part sections as opposed to the earlier pattern of 5 two-part sections propounded by Josef Lanner and his father Johann Strauss I. The fourth section begins quietly in F major, with a climax with cymbals to come. The coda recalls earlier sections (2 and 3) in a different key before the first waltz theme comes in again. The finale is exciting, with a stirring timpani drumroll and a strong brass flourish.

References

Based on original text by Peter Kemp, The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain. Used with permission.