The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain was formed in 1964 with the objective of furthering the discovery and performance of the music of the Strauss family and friends. The Society’s interests cover the whole spectrum of Viennese and related light classical music and operetta in all forms to suit all ages and tastes. We have overseas members from many countries inside and outside Europe, particularly the United States and Canada. For more detailed information on the Society please go to about us. For your general information here is a brief summary of the Strauss Dynasty.
Johann Strauss I (1804-1849) was the son of an innkeeper. Largely self-taught as a musician, he developed the waltz in the form and style we associate with the family. He wrote 251 opus numbered works (out of a total of over 300), among them 153 waltzes, the most famous of which is Lorelei-Rheinklänge (Sounds of the Rhine Loreley) (1843). As such, and somewhat surprisingly, he was the only member of the family to write more waltzes than any other type of dance, but his most famous work is surely the Radetsky March (1848). He toured extensively throughout Europe, visiting Britain in 1838 and 1849. He married in 1825 and was the father of Johann II (1825-1899), Josef (1827-1870) and Eduard I (1835-1916).
Marco Polo is currently recording the entire output of his works in original orchestration with the assistance of the Austrian conductor Christian Pollack.
Johann II (1825-1899) ignored his father’s wishes and formed his own orchestra, and is now considered the most famous of the Strausses. He made his debut as composer and conductor with great success on 15 October 1844 at Dommayer’s Casino in Vienna. In the 55 years of his musical career, his output was prolific – he wrote over 550 works (his opus listed works totalling 479). As well as waltzes, polkas, quadrilles and other dance music, he wrote marches, and, for the stage, he composed 15 operettas, one opera and an unfinished ballet. Among his most famous works are the polkas Annen (1852), Tritsch-Tratsch (1858), Excursion Train (1864), Thunder & Lightning (1868), Tik Tak (1874), and the waltzes, Morning Papers (1864), By the beautiful blue Danube (1867), Tales from the Vienna Woods (1868), Wine, Woman & Song (1869), Vienna Blood (1873), Voices of Spring (1883) and the Emperor (1889). His best known operettas are Die Fledermaus (The Bat) (1874), A Night in Venice (1883) and The Gypsy Baron (1885). He came to London in 1867 where he gave a series of 63 concerts at Covent Garden Opera House. He married three times – in 1862 (his wife died in 1878), then in 1878 (divorced 1882), and lastly in 1887. Despite composing all this dance music, he always maintained that he was unable to dance himself! The complete works of Johann Strauss II have been recorded on compact disc under the Marco Polo label.
Josef (1827-1870), the second son of Johann I, initially followed a career as an architect and engineer. He became a “genius against his will” when his elder brother, Johann, fell dangerously ill and Josef had to take over the family orchestra. Josef made his debut as a conductor in 1853 at the famous Sperl ballroom in Vienna. His career as a composer began shortly afterwards and up to his death, he wrote about 300 dance compositions, among them the famous waltzes, Village Swallows from Austria (1864), Transactions (1865), The Music of the Spheres (1868) and The Course of my Life is Love and Joy (Live, Laugh, and Love) (1869). His speciality was the polka mazurka – Woman’s Heart (1864) and The Dragonfly (1866) being exquisite examples of the genre. Other notable polkas are On Holiday (Auf Ferienreisen) (1863), Fireproof (Feuerfest) and Without Cares (Ohne Sorgen) (both 1869). In addition, he made between 400 to 500 arrangements of other composers’ music. He was the only musical Strauss never to visit Britain. He married in 1857 and had one daughter. Josef is regarded by many authorities on Strauss music as being the greatest genius of the family. The complete works of Josef Strauss have now been issued on compact disc under the Marco Polo label.
Mrs Hedwig Aigner-Strauss is a descendent of Josef Strauss and a keen supporter of the family tradition. She has one son, Willi, who is a professional musician.
The youngest son, Eduard I (1835-1916), also tried for a different career, this time as a diplomat. He was also a fluent linguist. Disillusioned with diplomatic work, he left and after receiving musical tuition, he became a harpist. In 1862, he made his debut and in 1863 he became a full-time conductor of the Strauss Orchestra. Rather overshadowed by his famous father and even more famous brothers, his compositions were not given their due at the time. He wrote over 300 dance works, most of which sadly are unknown, but he was exceptionally adept at writing fast polkas, a handful of which such as Line Clear! (Bahn Frei!) (1869) and Steam Up (Mit Dampf) (1871) have achieved considerable fame. His French polkas also display a delightful freshness. He came to Britain in 1885, 1895 and 1897. He married in 1863 and had two sons, Johann (see Johann III below) and Josef (1868-1940) (see Eduard II below).
Johann III (1866-1939), the eldest son of Eduard I, was also intended for a non-musical career. Nevertheless, he followed in the footsteps of his forebears – his first musical effort being the operetta Cat and Mouse (1899). His output compared with the earlier Strausses was small – he wrote over 30 compositions (more have been discovered in recent years). He eventually settled in Berlin where he spent the last 30 years or so of his life. He visited Britain, in 1902, 1927, 1928 and 1931. He married in 1894 and had two sons and two daughters, none of whom followed in the musical tradition of the family.
Eduard II (1910-1969), the younger son of Josef (1868-1940). After the 1939-1945 War, he was employed as a teacher in the opera class of the Vienna Conservatory. He made his debut as a conductor in 1949, the occasion of Johann I’s 150th and Johann II’s 50th anniversaries of their deaths. He married in 1950 and had one son. He toured throughout the world – his six major tours of Japan being the most successful. In London he conducted concerts in 1963, 1964 and 1966. In 1966, he became the first Patron of The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain, a post in which he was succeeded by his widow, Elisabeth (1969-1979), and then by their son, Eduard (1979 – present).
Dr.Eduard Strauss, our Honorary Patron, although not a professional musician, lives and works in Vienna. He is very active in the promotion of his family history, and has lectured worldwide, also compering many Viennese concerts in many countries, including several broadcast in Britain. Married in 1986, he has two sons, Michael Johann (Michi) and Thomas Josef, who will surely maintain the tradition.
Material from various sources, but mainly Peter Kemp’s book, “The Strauss Family”.
Revised by Mike O’Sullivan.
http://www.johann-strauss.org.uk/
