JOHANN STRAUSS II 1825-1899

SHAD SPARKS

The Waltz King

Early Life

Strauss was born in St. Ulrich near Vienna Austria, on October 25, 1825.

His father’s name was Johann Strauss I

He had two younger brothers Edward and Josef.

Early Life (cont.)

While he was younger his father wanted him to be a banker rather than a violinist

Knowing this, he secretly studied with the first violinist in his father’s orchestra, Franz Amon

When his father found out, he whipped Johann. He said he would beat the music out of him

Later on his father ended up abandoning the family for a mistress, Emile Trampusch

Debut as a Composer

Strauss made his debut at Dommayer's in October 1844, where he performed some of his first works

The waltzes Sinngedichte, Op. 1 and Gunstwerber, Op. 4 and the polka Herzenslust, Op. 3 were just some that he performed

Career Advances

Strauss eventually surpassed his father's fame and became one of the most popular waltz composers of the era

In 1853 Strauss was driven by constant demands and stress to take a 7 week vacation to the countryside.

In his absence, his brother Josef had to quit his job as an engineer to command Johann’s orchestra.

Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTYymbbEL4&feature=player_detailpage#t=90

Marriage

Strauss married the singer Henrietta Treffz in 1862, and remained together until her death in 1878.

Six weeks after her death he married actress Angelika Dittrich.

Dittrich was not a supporter of Strauss’s music and with many disagreements, they eventually got a divorce.

Marriage (cont)

After the divorce Strauss sought after his third wife Adele Deutsch whom he married in August 1882.

Unlike Dittrich, Deutsch encouraged Strauss’s musical talent to flow resulting in many great compositions

Death

Johann was diagnosed with pleural pneumonia in 1889 and died in Vienna at the age of 73.

He was buried in Zentralfreidhof and at the time of his death, he was still composing his ballet Aschenbrödel.

Legacy

Much of his music has been played on tv and in movies through the years

Strauss is remembered with performances by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra playing many of his compositions

Johann Strauss II will be remembered forever

And here’s Batman

Why?

Because he’s Batman

References

Gänzl, Kurt. The Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre (3 Volumes). New York: Schirmer Books, 2001.

Traubner, Richard. Operetta: A Theatrical History. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1983.

Jacob, H. E. Johann Strauss, Father and Son: A Century of Light Music. The Greystone Press, 1940.

Extra Slide