Sheet Music: Radetzky March

TitleRadetzky March
Alternate titlesRadetzkymarsch
Marche de Radetzky
Opus numberOp. 228
ComposerJohann Strauss I (1804–1849)
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyD major
RangeE4–G6
Time signature2/2
Tempo104 BPM
Performance time2:25
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (77 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.2 MB)
Date added2010-02-12
Last updated2010-02-12
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 2.2 (above average)
Categories
Marches, Military music, Romantic

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Friday 12 February 2010

Tune of the Day: Radetzky March

by Johann Strauss the Elder, arranged for flute solo

This march was composed in 1848 by Austrian composer Johann Strauss Sr. It was dedicated to the Austrian Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz, and became quite a popular march among soldiers. Despite its military nature, the tone of the piece is rather festive than martial, in accordance with its dedicatee's exuberant personality and popularity in the ballroom as well as the battlefield.

When the march was first played, in front of Austrian officers in attendance, they promptly clapped and stomped their feet when they heard the chorus. This tradition is carried over today: when the march is played as the last piece of music at the Vienna New Year Concert, the conductor turns to the audience to conduct their clapping instead of the orchestra!