Thursday 13 January 2011
Tune of the Day: Viennese Blood Waltz
by Johann Strauss II, arranged for solo flute
“Wiener Blut” (literally, “Viennese Blood”, but sometimes translated “Viennese Spirit”) was written by Johann Strauss Jr. in 1871. Strauss was in his 46th year, and had just experienced his first success composing for the stage; “Wiener Blut” would also later become the central musical theme of the operetta by the same name. This waltz is actually one of few last Strauss compositions to be independent from his stage works, as at that point of his career the composer was concentrating on writing for the performing stage, and not actively writing music for the ballrooms.
Thanks to Esther for suggesting this piece!