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:

J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Previn, Te Kanawa, Gruberova
J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Previn, Te Kanawa, Gruberova
Release Date: 11/08/1991   Label: Philips  
Catalog: 432157   Number of Discs: 2
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Strauss: A Night In Venice / Thompson, Ohio Light Opera
Strauss: A Night In Venice / Thompson, Ohio Light Opera
Release Date: 08/01/2000   Label: Newport Classic  
Catalog: 85661   Number of Discs: 2
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Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Karajan, Waechter, Stolze, Et Al
Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Karajan, Waechter, Stolze, Et Al
Release Date: 09/14/1999   Label: Rca Victor Red Seal  
Catalog: 61949   Number of Discs: 3
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Johann Strauss, Jr: The Gypsy Baron / Paulik, Scheyrer
Johann Strauss, Jr: The Gypsy Baron / Paulik, Scheyrer
Release Date: 01/17/1996   Label: Vanguard  
Catalog: 8082   Number of Discs: 2
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J. Strauss, Jr.: Die Fledermaus / Wildner, Fontana, Et Al
J. Strauss, Jr.: Die Fledermaus / Wildner, Fontana, Et Al
Release Date: 02/15/1994   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8660017-18   Number of Discs: 2
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Work: Emperor Waltz (Kaiser-Walzer)

Browse 26-50 of 130 Available Recordings
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  • 26.
    Wilhelm Furtwangler - The Late Unforgettable Columbia Records
    Label: Andromeda   Catalog: 5034 Release Date: 01/01/2012   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Richard Wagner,  Christoph W. Gluck,  Franz Joseph Haydn  ... 
    Performer:  Edwin Fischer
    Conductor:  Wilhelm Furtwängler
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  • 27.
    100 Best Waltzes & Polkas
    Label: Warner Classics   Catalog: 828892 Release Date: 11/01/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Jacques Offenbach,  Charles Gounod,  Emil Waldteufel  ... 
    Conductor:  Willi Boskovsky,  Manuel Rosenthal,  Herbert von Karajan,  Efrem Kurtz  ... 
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  • 28.
    Best Waltzes & Polkas 100
    Best Waltzes & Polkas 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 80455 Release Date: 11/01/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Jacques Offenbach,  Charles Gounod,  Léo Delibes  ... 
    Conductor:  Willi Boskovsky,  Manuel Rosenthal,  Herbert von Karajan,  Jean-Baptiste Mari  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Johann Strauss Orchestra Vienna,  Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra  ... 
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  • 29.
    Waltzes By Johann Strauss Arranged By Schoenberg, Berg & Webern / The Philharmonics
    Waltzes By Johann Strauss Arranged By Schoenberg, Berg & Webern / The Philharmonics
    Label: Accentus   Catalog: 20228 Release Date: 10/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Fritz Kreisler,  Tibor Kovac
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  The Philharmonics
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  • 30.
    Waltzes By Johann Strauss Arranged By Schoenberg, Berg & Webern / The Philharmonics [blu-ray]
    Waltzes By Johann Strauss Arranged By Schoenberg, Berg & Webern / The Philharmonics [blu-ray]
    Label: Accentus   Catalog: 10228 Release Date: 10/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Fritz Kreisler,  Tibor Kovac
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  The Philharmonics
    Blu-ray Video: $39.99
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  • 31.
    Waltzing And Marching
    Label: Sounds Of Yesteryear   Catalog: 861 Release Date: 09/20/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Emmerich Kálmán,  Rudolf Sieczynski,  Franz Lehár,  Robert Stolz  ... 
    Conductor:  Andre Kostelanetz
    CD: $15.99
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  • 32.
    Mantovani's Greatest Hits
    Label: Zyx Records   Catalog: 56028 Release Date: 08/12/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Lew Pollack,  Traditional,  Charles Gounod,  Jacques Offenbach  ... 
    Conductor:  Annuncio Paolo Mantovani
    CD: $12.99
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  • 33.
    Best Strauss Waltzes: Emperor Waltz
    Best Strauss Waltzes: Emperor Waltz
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 82153 Release Date: 07/26/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Willi Boskovsky
    CD: $7.99
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  • 34.
    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  ... 
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  • 35.
    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
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  • 36.
    Wien, Stadt Meiner Traume
    Wien, Stadt Meiner Traume
    Label: Gramola   Catalog: 98908 Release Date: 04/12/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Franz Lehár,  Robert Stolz,  Walter Jurmann  ... 
    Performer:  Akiko Nakajima,  Wolfgang Rauball
    Conductor:  Niels Muus
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  • 37.
    The Strauss Family: Waltzes, Polkas / Boskovsky, Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester
    The Strauss Family: Waltzes, Polkas / Boskovsky, Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 18744 Release Date: 03/08/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Eduard Strauss,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Conductor:  Willi Boskovsky
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  • 38.
    Invitation To The Dance / Barenboim, Berlin Philharmonic
    Invitation To The Dance / Barenboim, Berlin Philharmonic
    Label: Euroarts   Catalog: 2051849 Release Date: 01/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Antonín Dvorák  ... 
    Conductor:  Daniel Barenboim
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 39.
    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: 12/17/2010   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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  • 40.
    Kaiserwalzer - Strauss Family: Orchestral Works / Fricsay
    Kaiserwalzer - Strauss Family: Orchestral Works / Fricsay
    Label: Dg Musikfest   Catalog: 427217 Release Date: 12/08/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Conductor:  Ferenc Fricsay
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra
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  • 41.
    Best Of The Classics
    Best Of The Classics
    Label: Sonoma   Catalog: 29 Release Date: 09/28/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Traditional,  Claude Debussy,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
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  • 42.
    Icon - Rudolf Kempe
    Icon - Rudolf Kempe
    Label: Warner Classics   Catalog: 29557 Release Date: 09/14/2010   Number of Discs: 11
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Felix Mendelssohn,  Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov  ... 
    Performer:  Paul Tortelier,  Teresa Zylis-Gara,  Sylvia Geszty,  Gundula Janowitz  ... 
    Conductor:  Rudolf Kempe
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 43.
    Dances Around The World / United States Army Band
    Dances Around The World / United States Army Band
    Label: Altissimo   Catalog: ALT60662 Release Date: 04/13/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Reinhold Gliere,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Jacques Press  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  United States Army Band
    CD: $17.99
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  • 44.
    Waltzes & Polkas of Vienna - Strauss Family Favourites / Georgiadis
    Waltzes & Polkas of Vienna - Strauss Family Favourites / Georgiadis
    Label: Musical Concepts   Catalog: 1070 Release Date: 03/23/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Eduard Strauss,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Johann Strauss Sr.
    Conductor:  John Georgiadis
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
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  • 45.
    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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  • 46.
    Johann Strauss: Transcriptions For Piano By Grunfeld, Schutt, Dohnanyi, Schulhof, Schulz-evler
    Johann Strauss: Transcriptions For Piano By Grunfeld, Schutt, Dohnanyi, Schulhof, Schulz-evler
    Label: Apex   Catalog: 4684003 Release Date: 03/08/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Performer:  Rudolf Buchbinder
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  • 47.
    Strauss: Walzer / Thomas Christian Ensemble
    Strauss: Walzer / Thomas Christian Ensemble
    Label: Md&g (Dabringhaus & Grimm)   Catalog: 6031590 Release Date: 01/26/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Thomas Christian Ensemble
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  • 48.
    The Beautiful Blue Danube / Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic
    The Beautiful Blue Danube / Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 413681 Release Date: 01/12/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 49.
    Berlitz Passport - The Music Of Austria
    Berlitz Passport - The Music Of Austria
    Label: Sony Classical Masterworks   Catalog: 47284 Release Date: 11/30/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Johann Strauss Sr.,  Franz Lehár,  Roman Hoffstetter  ... 
    Performer:  Pinchas Zukerman
    Conductor:  Andre Kostelanetz,  Leonard Bernstein,  George Szell,  Eugene Ormandy  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra,  New York Philharmonic,  Cleveland Orchestra  ... 
    ArkivCD $16.99
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  • 50.
    The Emperor Waltz - Ormandy Conducts Viennese Favorites
    The Emperor Waltz - Ormandy Conducts Viennese Favorites
    Label: Rca   Catalog: 38115 Release Date: 09/17/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.
    Conductor:  Eugene Ormandy
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philadelphia Orchestra
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