The Blue Danube, Op. 314

Disscuss/Review The Blue Danube Waltz at https://classicalmusiconly.com/work/johann-strauss-ii/the-blue-danube-op-314-e6o3 Title : Johann Strauss II , The Blue Danube Waltz Date : 1867 From Wikipedia,The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau op. 314 (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), a waltz by Johann Strauss II, composed in 1867. Originally performed 9 February 1867 at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association), it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire. Its initial performance was only a mild success, however, and Strauss is reputed to have said "The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda -- I wish that had been a success!" The waltz originally had an accompanying song text written by Josef Weyl. Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the World's Fair in Paris that same year, and it became a great success in this form. The instrumental version is by far the most commonly performed today. An alternate text by Franz von Gernerth, Donau so blau (Danube so blue), is also used on occasion. The sentimental Viennese connotations of the piece have made it into a sort of unofficial Austrian national anthem. It is a traditional encore piece at the annual Vienna New Year's Concert. The first few bars are also the interval signal of Osterreich Rundfunk's overseas programs. It is reported by composer Norman Lloyd in his "Golden Encyclopedia of Music" that when asked by Frau Strauss for an autograph, the composer Johannes Brahms autographed Mrs. Strauss's fan by writing on it the first few bars of the Blue Danube. Under it he wrote "Unfortunately not by Johannes Brahms".The work commences with an extended introduction in the key of A major with shimmering (tremolo) violins and a French horn spelling out the familiar waltz theme, answered by staccato wind chords, in a subdued mood. It rises briefly into a loud passage but quickly dies down into the same restful nature of the opening bars. A contrasting and quick phrase in D major anticipates the waltz before 3 quiet downward-moving bass notes "usher in" the first principal waltz melody. The first waltz theme is familiar gently rising triad motif in cellos and horns in the tonic D major, accompanied by harps; the Viennese waltz beat is accentuated at the end of each 3-note phrase. The Waltz 1A triumphantly ends its rounds of the motif, and waltz 1B follows in the same key; the genial mood is still apparent. Waltz 2A glides in quietly (still in D major) before a short contrasting middle section in B flat major. The entire section is repeated. A more dour waltz 3A is introduced in G major before a fleeting eighth-note melodic phrase (waltz 3B). An loud Intrada (introduction) is then played. Waltz 4A starts off in a romantic mood (F major) before a more joyous waltz 4B in the same key. After another short Intrada in A, cadencing in F-sharp minor, sonorous clarinets spell out the poignant melody of waltz 5A in A. Waltz 5B is the climax, punctuated by cymbal crashes. Each of these may be repeated at the discretion of the performer. The coda recalls earlier sections (3A and 2A) before furious chords usher in a recap of the romantic Waltz 4A. The idyll is cut short as the waltz hurries back to the famous waltz theme 1A again. This statement is cut short, however, by the final codetta: a variation of 1A is presented, connecting to a rushing eighth-note passage in the final few bars: repeated tonic chords underlined by a snare drumroll and a bright-sounding flourish.

The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II (October 25, 1825 – June 3, 1899) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314 (German for "By the Beautiful Blue Danube"), a waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866. Originally performed in February, 1867[1][2] at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association),[2] it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire. Its initial performance was considered only a mild success,[1] however, and Strauss is reputed to have said, "The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda—I wish that had been a success!"[2] After the original music was written, the words were added by the Choral Association's poet, Joseph Weyl.[1][3] Strauss later added more music, and Weyl needed to change some of the words.[4] Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World's Fair, and it became a great success in this form.[1] The instrumental version is by far the most commonly performed today. An alternate text was written by Franz von Gernerth (de), "Donau so blau" (Danube so blue). "The Blue Danube" premiered in the United States in its instrumental version on 1 July 1867 in New York, and in Great Britain in its choral version on 21 September 1867 in London at the promenade concerts at Covent Garden.[citation needed] When Strauss's stepdaughter, Alice von Meyszner-Strauss, asked the composer Johannes Brahms to sign her autograph-fan, he wrote down the first bars of The Blue Danube, but adding "Leider nicht von Johannes Brahms" ("Alas! not by Johannes Brahms"). Composition notes The work commences with an extended introduction in the key of A major with shimmering (tremolo) violins and a horn spelling out the familiar waltz theme, answered by staccato wind chords, in a subdued mood. It rises briefly into a loud passage but quickly dies down into the same restful nature of the opening bars. A contrasting and quick phrase in D major anticipates the waltz before three quiet downward-moving bass notes "usher in" the first principal waltz melody.[citation needed] The first waltz theme is familiar gently rising triad motif in cellos and horns in the tonic D major, accompanied by the harp; the Viennese waltz beat is accentuated at the end of each 3-note phrase. The Waltz 1A triumphantly ends its rounds of the motif, and waltz 1B follows in the same key; the genial mood is still apparent.[citation needed] Waltz 2A glides in quietly (still in D major) before a short contrasting middle section in B-flat major. The entire section is repeated.[citation needed] A more dour waltz 3A is introduced in G major before a fleeting eighth-note melodic phrase (waltz 3B). A loud Intrada (introduction) is then played. Waltz 4A starts off in a romantic mood (F major) before a more joyous waltz 4B in the same key.[citation needed] After another short Intrada in A, cadencing in F-sharp minor, sonorous clarinets spell out the poignant melody of waltz 5A in A. Waltz 5B is the climax, punctuated by cymbal crashes. Each of these may be repeated at the discretion of the performer.[citation needed] The coda recalls earlier sections (3A and 2A) before furious chords usher in a recap of the romantic Waltz 4A. The idyll is cut short as the waltz hurries back to the famous waltz theme 1A again. This statement is cut short, however, by the final codetta: a variation of 1A is presented, connecting to a rushing eighth-note passage in the final few bars: repeated tonic chords underlined by a snare drum roll and a bright-sounding flourish.[citation needed] A typical performance lasts around 10 minutes, with the seven-minute main piece, followed by a three-minute coda. Instrumentation The Blue Danube is scored for the following orchestra:[citation needed] Woodwinds 2 Flutes (Fl. 2 doubling Piccolo) 2 Oboes 2 Clarinets in C 2 Bassoons Brass 4 Horns in F 2 Trumpets in F Bass trombone Tuba Percussion Timpani Bass drum Triangle Snare drum Strings Harp Violins I, II Violas Violoncellos Double Basses

André Rieu & his Johann Strauss Orchestra playing "The Beautiful Blue Danube" (An der schönen blauen Donau) by composer Johann Strauss II. Recorded live at Empress Sisi's castle; Schönbrunn Palace Vienna, Austria with dancers from the famous Austrian Elmayer Dancing School. Clip from the DVD "André Rieu At Schönbrunn, Vienna". One of André's biggest and most beautiful special ever. Tracklist: 01. Einzugsmarsch 02. Trumpet Voluntary 03. Auf der Jagd 04. Fächerpolonaise 05. Rosen aus dem Süden 06. Heia in den Bergen 07. G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald 08. Der dritte Mann 09. Freunde, das Leben ist lebenswert 10. Die Mädis vom Chantant 11. Die Czárdásfürstin Potpourri 12. Ohne Sorgen 13. Feuerfest 14. My Heart Will Go On 15. Wenn ich mit meinem Dackel 16. Heut' kommen d'Engerln auf Urlaub nach Wien 17. Spiel mir das Lied von Glück und Treu 18. Kaiserwalzer 19. Ich gehör nur mir 20. An der schönen blauen Donau 21. Radetzky Marsch 22. Als flotter Geist 23. Wien du Stadt meiner Träume 24. Musik, Musik! 25. Anton aus Tirol 26. Donauwalzer 27. Strauss Party 28. Adieu, mein kleiner Gardeoffizier For tour dates visit: http://www.andrerieu.com http://www.facebook.com/andrerieu http://www.twitter.com/andrerieu https://plus.google.com/+andrerieu