Strauss J. (1825-1899), composer

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STRAUSS Johann (Junior) (1825-1899), Austrian composer, violinist and conductor. First rate master of the Viennese waltz. After his father's death in 1849, he toured through Europe with a concert and dance orchestra. In 1856-65 and in 1869, he conducted summer concerts at the Pavlovsk Vauxhall (in 1864-65 together with his brothers Josef and Eduard, and with Eduard only in 1869). He then refused to perform at the restaurant and managed to arrange a special concert hall. Besides the usual dance pieces (waltzes, polkas, mazurkas and gallops) and marches, his programmes included music written by contemporary composers, featuring works by M.I. Glinka, A.S. Dargomyzhsky, A.N. Serov, and P.I. Tchaikovsky. He composed the waltz Abschied von St. Petersburg (Farewell to St. Petersburg) (1858),and the polkas Juristenball-Tanze (Ball of Lawyers) (1864), Pawlowsk-Polka and Pizzicato-Polka (together with Josef Strauss ,1869), specifically for concerts in St. Petersburg. Later, Strauss' orchestra performed at court balls, winning the general adoration of St. Petersburgers of various social strata. The composer was spoken of favourably by Serov, Tchaikovsky, and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. The richness of his melodies, as well as the diversity, elegance and orchestration of his waltzes, served to a considerable extent as a model of dance music for Russian composers. The operettas Strauss wrote during his residence in Vienna Die Fledermaus, 1874, Der Zigeunerbaron, 1885) still enjoy great popularity and are constantly playing at St. Petersburg theatres. Strauss came to St. Petersburg on tour in 1872 and 1886. The movie Farewell to St. Petersburg was based on the years that Strauss spent in St. Petersburg.

References: Мейлих Е. И. Иоганн Штраус: Из истории венского вальса. 4-е изд., доп. Л., 1975; Айгнер Т. Иоганн Штраус в России // Австро-Венгрия: интеграц. процессы и нац. специфика: [Сб. ст.]. М., 1997. С. 291-302.

A. L. Porfiryeva. Dargomyzhsky Alexander Sergeevich
Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich
Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolay Andreevich
Serov Alexander Nikolaevich
Strauss Eduard
Strauss Johann
Tchaikovsky Peter Ilyich
Мейлих Е. И. Иоганн Штраус: Из истории венского вальса. 4-е изд., доп. Л., 1975
Айгнер Т. Иоганн Штраус в России // Австро-Венгрия: интеграц. процессы и нац. специфика: [Сб. ст.]. М. , 1997 Pavlovsk Vauxhall