Strauss,
family of Austrian composers, of whom the two most important members were father and son.
Johann
Strauss the Elder
(1804-1849),
born in Vienna. In 1824 he was deputy conductor of the orchestra led by the Austrian
composer Joseph Lanner. Strauss organised his own orchestra in 1825 and toured Europe,
popularising the waltz. He himself composed 152 waltzes, as well as many polkas, gallops,
quadrilles, and marches. Among his best-known waltzes is “Lorelei—Sounds of the
Rhine”.
Johann
Strauss the Younger
(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.