Johann Strauss Jr.

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Born: Oct 25, 1825; Austria   Died: Jun 3, 1899; Austria   Period: Romantic
Johann Strauss, Jr. is the first truly well-known composer in those classical genres particular to his hometown, the Viennese waltz and Viennese operetta. The Blue Danube Waltz is not only the most popular of his works in the former category, but is among the most widely played and arranged pieces of its time, known to the most casual listener today from many radio, film and television uses of it.
Johann Strauss, Jr. was born in Vienna Read more on October 25, 1825. He showed remarkable skills early in his childhood, despite his father's opposition to any career in music for any of his three sons. Johann, Sr. wanted him to become a banker, but the younger Strauss had his own ideas, taking violin lessons in secret from a player in his father's band. When Strauss was 17 his father left the family, thus allowing him to begin serious study without encumbrance. His mother, a good amateur violinist who had always encouraged him, remained supportive. Strauss now studied theory with Joseph Drechsler and took violin lessons from Anton Kohlmann. In 1844 young Johann led his first concert and a year later formed his own band, thereby competing with his father's orchestra. He was also writing his own quadrilles, mazurkas, polkas, and waltzes for performance by his ensemble, even conducting works by his father, and receiving praise from the press. He was given the honorary position of Bandmaster of the 2nd Vienna Citizens' Regiment (his father was bandmaster of the 1st regiment) in 1845, and in 1847 began composing for the Vienna Men's Choral Association.
His real success began in 1849 after Johann Strauss, Sr. died. Johann, Jr. merged his father's orchestra with his own and took up his father's contracts. His career moved along smoothly for the next several years, but in 1853 he became seriously ill and turned over conducting duties to his younger brother, Josef, for six months. After his recovery he resumed fully both his conducting and his composing activities, eventually gaining the respect of such composers as Brahms, Wagner, and Verdi for his seemingly unlimited imagination for using melodies.
Strauss married singer Henriette "Jetty" Treffz in August 1862, and they settled in Hietzing. Thereafter, she became his business manager and apparently a great inspiration, drawing him toward operetta, just as Viennese theater operators were becoming tired of the works of Offenbach. His first, Indigo und die vierzig Räuber, came in 1871, and his most famous, Die Fledermaus, was staged three years later with great success. Eine Nacht in Venedig (1883) and Der Zigeunerbaron (1885) were his only other international operetta hits.
In 1872, he traveled to the United States and led highly successful concerts in Boston and New York. For all the success that came in the 1870s for Strauss, there was also much grief: his mother and brother Josef died in 1870, and his wife died suddenly of a heart attack in 1878. Her death devastated him, and the suddenly helpless composer unwisely married the much-younger actress Angelika Dittrich, six weeks later. The marriage lasted only four years, though it may have saved the composer from personal disaster in the months following his wife's death.
Strauss, a Roman Catholic, left the church and had to give up his Austrian citizenship to marry Adele Deutsch in 1887, owing to the Church's unwillingness to recognize his divorce. His new wife, with whom he had lived for a long period before their marriage, seemed to inspire him much like his first wife. In his last years, Strauss remained quite productive and active. He was working on a ballet, Cinderella, when he developed a respiratory ailment which grew into pneumonia. He died on June 3, 1899. Read less

Featured Johann Strauss Jr. CDs & DVDs:

Strauss Johann: Most Famous Waltzes
Strauss Johann: Most Famous Waltzes
Release Date: 06/30/1992   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8550152   Number of Discs: 1
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J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 8
J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 8
Release Date: 06/01/1999   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8554524   Number of Discs: 1
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J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 6
J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 6
Release Date: 06/01/1999   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8554522   Number of Discs: 1
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J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 1
J. Strauss Jr.: 100 Most Famous Waltzes, Etc Vol 1
Release Date: 06/22/1999   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8554517   Number of Discs: 1
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Wedding Celebrations / Bogár, Budapest Strauss Ensemble
Wedding Celebrations / Bogár, Budapest Strauss Ensemble
Release Date: 07/26/1994   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8550900   Number of Discs: 1
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Work: Perpetual Motion (A Musical Joke)

Browse 1-25 of 59 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Robert Stolz conducts Waltzes, Marches, Polkas, Etc.
    Robert Stolz conducts Waltzes, Marches, Polkas, Etc.
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 88985465542 Release Date: 01/05/2018   Number of Discs: 12
    Composer:  Josef Lanner,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Robert Stolz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Symphony Orchestra,  Vienna Symphony Orchestra
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  • 2.
    Wiener Philharmoniker: 175th Anniversary Edition
    Wiener Philharmoniker: 175th Anniversary Edition
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 4797090 Release Date: 03/31/2017   Number of Discs: 45
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Anton Bruckner,  Emmanuel Chabrier  ... 
    Performer:  Anton Dermota,  Irmgard Seefried,  Rosette Anday,  Paul Schöffler  ... 
    Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein,  Rafael Kubelik,  Wilhelm Furtwängler,  James Levine  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Arnold Schoenberg Choir,  Kuchl String Quartet  ... 
    CD: $175.49
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  • 3.
    New Year's Concert - The Complete Works / Wiener Philharmoniker
    New Year's Concert - The Complete Works / Wiener Philharmoniker
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 503203 Release Date: 11/13/2015   Number of Discs: 23
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Josef Strauss,  Johannes Brahms  ... 
    Conductor:  Zubin Mehta,  Carlos Kleiber,  Riccardo Muti,  Seiji Ozawa  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 4.
    Neujahrskonzert / New Year's Concert 2015 [blu-ray]
    Neujahrskonzert / New Year's Concert 2015 [blu-ray]
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 503551 Release Date: 02/03/2015   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz von Suppé,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Eduard Strauss  ... 
    Conductor:  Zubin Mehta
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 5.
    Neujahrskonzert / New Year's Concert 2015 [DVD]
    Neujahrskonzert / New Year's Concert 2015 [DVD]
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 503550 Release Date: 02/03/2015   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz von Suppé,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Eduard Strauss  ... 
    Conductor:  Zubin Mehta
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
    DVD: $14.99
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  • 6.
    Legendary Moments from the New Year's Concerts Vol 2
    Legendary Moments from the New Year's Concerts Vol 2
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 307491 Release Date: 01/06/2015   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Lanner,  Josef Strauss,  Eduard Strauss  ... 
    Conductor:  Carlos Kleiber,  Zubin Mehta,  Lorin Maazel,  Mariss Jansons  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 7.
    New Year's Concert 2015 / Zubin Mehta, Vienna Philharmonic
    New Year's Concert 2015 / Zubin Mehta, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 88875037912 Release Date: 01/06/2015   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Franz von Suppé,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Eduard Strauss  ... 
    Conductor:  Zubin Mehta
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
    CD: $16.99
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  • 8.
    Ferenc Fricsay: Complete DG Recordings, Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Ferenc Fricsay: Complete DG Recordings, Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 002132602 Release Date: 09/02/2014   Number of Discs: 45
    Composer:  Béla Bartók,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  César Franck  ... 
    Performer:  Géza Anda,  Tibor Varga,  Helmut Krebs,  Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau  ... 
    Conductor:  Ferenc Fricsay
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin RIAS Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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    CD: $194.99
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  • 9.
    Strauss: Waltzes; Polkas; Overtures
    Strauss: Waltzes; Polkas; Overtures
    Label: Rewind   Catalog: 505 Release Date: 06/24/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Jos van Immerseel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Anima Eterna Orchestra (Bruges)
    CD: $9.99
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  • 10.
    Symphonic Dances
    Symphonic Dances
    Label: Genuin Classics   Catalog: 14307 Release Date: 05/27/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Jacques Offenbach,  Perez Prado  ... 
    Performer:  Rene Geipel
    Conductor:  Thomas Clamor
    CD: $18.99
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  • 11.
    Karajan: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, R. Strauss, Opera Arias - 1946-1949
    Karajan: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, R. Strauss, Opera Arias - 1946-1949
    Label: Warner Classics   Catalog: 633618 Release Date: 04/08/2014   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Franz Schubert,  Johannes Brahms  ... 
    Performer:  Leopold Wlach,  Julius Patzak,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Elisabeth Höngen  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Friends of Music Chorus
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  • 12.
    New Year's Concert 1980 / Lorin Maazel, Vienna Philharmonic
    New Year's Concert 1980 / Lorin Maazel, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 400040 Release Date: 10/01/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Josef Strauss,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Carl Michael Ziehrer,  Jacques Offenbach  ... 
    Conductor:  Lorin Maazel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
    CD: $17.99
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  • 13.
    Schubert: Symphony no 8; Johann Strauss, Josef Strauss / Karajan, Vienna PO
    Schubert: Symphony no 8; Johann Strauss, Josef Strauss / Karajan, Vienna PO
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 439104 Release Date: 12/03/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Schubert,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
    CD: $17.99
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  • 14.
    Great Viennese Classics
    Great Viennese Classics
    Label: Rel   Catalog: 565 Release Date: 10/09/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Heuberger,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss  ... 
    Conductor:  Iain Sutherland
    CD: $13.99
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  • 15.
    Strauss: The Blue Danube and Famous Viennese Waltzes
    Strauss: The Blue Danube and Famous Viennese Waltzes
    Label: Dg Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001701802 Release Date: 07/24/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm,  Carlos Kleiber
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
    CD: $6.99
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  • 16.
    New Year's Concert 2002 / Seiji Ozawa, Vienna Philharmonic
    New Year's Concert 2002 / Seiji Ozawa, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Arthaus Musik   Catalog: 107189 Release Date: 11/15/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  J. "Pepi" Hellmesberger
    Conductor:  Seiji Ozawa
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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    DVD: $24.99
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  • 17.
    Icon: William Steinberg
    Icon: William Steinberg
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 26486 Release Date: 10/11/2011   Number of Discs: 20
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Franz Joseph Haydn,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  Nathan Milstein,  Rudolf Firkusny
    Conductor:  William Steinberg
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
    CD: $63.99
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  • 18.
    Viennese Night at the BBC Proms
    Viennese Night at the BBC Proms
    Label: Ica Classics   Catalog: 5026 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Franz Lehár,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Franz von Suppé
    Performer:  Sheila Armstrong
    Conductor:  James Loughran,  Walter Susskind,  Janos Fürst
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Hallé Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,  BBC Northern Symphony
    Recommendation
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  • 19.
    J. Strauss Jr.: Complete Orchestral Edition [52-CD Set]
    J. Strauss Jr.: Complete Orchestral Edition [52-CD Set]
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8505226 Release Date: 04/26/2011   Number of Discs: 52
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Robert Schumann,  Olga Smirnitzkaja
    Performer:  Jozef Sikora,  Regina Jauslin,  Viktor Simcisko,  Katarína Vavreková  ... 
    Conductor:  Alfred Walter,  Richard Edlinger,  Oliver Dohnányi,  Johannes Wildner  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Kosice Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra,  Polish National Philharmonic Orchestra Katowice,  Bratislava Slovak State Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    Recommendation
    CD: $148.99
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  • 20.
    Strauss Collection - Early Recordings On 78s (1901-1951)
    Strauss Collection - Early Recordings On 78s (1901-1951)
    Label: Opus Kura   Catalog: 1006/13 Release Date: 04/12/2011   Number of Discs: 8
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Spoken Word,  Josef Strauss,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Performer:  Irene Eisinger,  Dajos Bela,  Barnabas Von Geczy,  Marcella Sembrich  ... 
    Conductor:  Clemens Krauss,  Howard Barlow,  Erich Leinsdorf,  Harry Horlick  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Kölner Klavier-Trio
    Recommendation
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    CD: $107.49
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  • 21.
    New Year In Vienna 1988 & 1991 / Claudio Abbado, Vienna Philharmonic
    New Year In Vienna 1988 & 1991 / Claudio Abbado, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 437687 Release Date: 12/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Conductor:  Claudio Abbado
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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    ArkivCD $16.99
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  • 22.
    Edition Ferenc Fricsay Vol 12 - J. Strauss: Waltzes & Polkas
    Edition Ferenc Fricsay Vol 12 - J. Strauss: Waltzes & Polkas
    Label: Audite   Catalog: 95629 Release Date: 03/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Ferenc Fricsay
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  RIAS Symphony Orchestra
    CD: $14.99
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  • 23.
    New Year's Concert 2010 / Pretre, Vienna Philharmonic
    New Year's Concert 2010 / Pretre, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001398402 Release Date: 01/12/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Hans Christian Lumbye,  Eduard Strauss,  Jacques Offenbach  ... 
    Conductor:  Georges Prętre
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 24.
    The Beautiful Blue Danube / Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic
    The Beautiful Blue Danube / Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 413681 Release Date: 01/06/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 25.
    Johann Strauss: Waltzes, Polkas & Overtures
    Johann Strauss: Waltzes, Polkas & Overtures
    Label: Zig Zag   Catalog: 2020601 Release Date: 06/30/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Jos van Immerseel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Anima Eterna Orchestra
    CD: $18.99
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