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An der
schönen blauen Donau:
origin and motives for the composition
Johann Strauß jun. |
On July 3rd, 1866 the Austrian imperial army under General Benedek was defeated by the united Prussian armies under General Moltke. It was feared that Prussian troups might advance as far as Vienna and it was planned to declare Vienna an open city so as to avoid military action in the town. The mobility of the Viennese population was curtailed by decrees. The seriousness of the situation is reflected in the fact that all balls were cancelled, even a "Folly Evening" of the Vienna Männergesangsverein, an association that had been formed in 1843. This choir asked Strauß for a waltz that was to be played at a choral recital intended to replace the „Folly Evening“. Strauß accepted the offer and this concert waltz was Strauß’ first vocal waltz, as the members of the choir wanted to give their recital a slightly satirical character with burlesque elements.
The first performance 
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