Johann Strauß in Russia

Between 1856-1865 and once again in 1869 Johann Strauß conducted the summer concerts (May to October) at Pavlovsk, under contract to the Zarskoje-Selo Railway Company. He had his own orchestra and performed almost daily, sometimes substituted by his brothers Joseph and Edward. Pavlovsk was 30 km from the Russian capital St.Petersburg and formed the terminus of the first Russian railway (St.Petersburg - Pavlovsk). The concerts took place in a pavilion called "Vauxhall“, which was also suited for balls and quite close to the railway station. It was a place where many of his works were first performed, among them the "Pizzicato Polka“ which he had composed together with his brother Joseph. 

Johann Strauß in America