Strauss

Strauss, family of Austrian composers, of whom the two most important members were father and son.

(1804-1849), born in Vienna. In 1824 he was deputy conductor of the orchestra led by the Austrian composer Joseph Lanner. Strauss organized his own orchestra in 1825 and toured Europe, popularizing the waltz. He himself composed 152 waltzes, as well as many polkas, galops, quadrilles, and marches. Among his best-known waltzes is “Lorelei—Sounds of the Rhine”.

(1825-1899), born in Vienna. He made his first appearance conducting his own orchestra at the age of 19. After the death of the elder Strauss, he united his group with the orchestra his father had made famous. His many tours through Europe and a tour in the United States in 1876 featured his own dance music, especially his waltzes. Strauss composed such famous waltzes as “The Blue Danube” (1867), “Tales from the Vienna Woods” (1868), “Roses from the South” (1878), and “Voices of Spring” (1881). Between 1871 and 1897 he composed 16 operettas for Viennese theatres, of which the best known today are Die Fledermaus (The Bat, 1874) and Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron, 1885). His two brothers, Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss, often substituted as conductors of his orchestra and also composed many dance pieces.