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Description
Emma Schutt, MUS303: Music History 2
Faculty Mentor(s): Professor Carolyn Guzski, Music
The Viennese Waltz is one of the most distinctive compositional genres in music history. Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) should receive credit for its enduring recognition, as he is truly “The Waltz King." The goal of my project is to reveal how Strauss became a master composer of the waltz, why he composed his extensive repertoire of famous waltzes, and what it is that makes this genre of music so meaningful to Vienna and its people. I focus on three of Strauss's most famous Viennese waltzes: Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales of the Vienna Woods), An Der Schönen Blauen Donau (The Blue Danube), and Wiener Blut (Viennese Blood). In addition, a variety of source commentary highlights Strauss's background and musical influences, and sheds light as to why he composed the way he did. I also discuss the structural form and musical history of the Viennese waltz. I chose this topic because it has a deep sentimental meaning to me. My late grandfather and I used to bond over listening to the great André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra perform these wonderful waltzes. Through my research, I really hope to deepen my understanding of this special genre of music.
Publication Date
2021
Recommended Citation
Schutt, Emma, "The Waltz King: Johann Strauss II and the Viennese Waltz" (2021). Arts. 6.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/srcc-sp21-arts/6
