On the Beautiful, Blue Danube, op. 314
Johann Strauss the elder and Joseph Lanner are responsible for turning the modest waltz—of humble Austrian, rural origins—into the celebrated Viennese Waltz. For over a century and half the Viennese Waltz has attained a status as the acme of sophistication, beauty, and elegance. What would New Year’s Eve be without visions of swirling dancers in gowns and tailcoats accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic? The tradition is founded upon the incredibly active musical entertainment tradition in Vienna’s cafes, gardens, salons, palaces, and annual carnival. There was money to be made in popular dance music, and in the second quarter of the nineteenth century Lanner and Strauss the senior brought their considerable talent and entrepreneurship to the scene and dominated it. S >>>