Let’s walz!
‘An original way to make a declaration of love or to put the children to bed.’ (Le Monde)
The first hit in the world
DONAUWALZER
The Blue Danube
Johann Strauss II, 1866/76
It’s is the most played waltz in the world, the secret hymn of Austria and the absolute highlight of the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – the reliable extra in the Golden Hall of the ‘Musikverein’.
Once dedicated as a satirical choral piece to the defeat of Austria at the Battle of Hradec Kralove in July 1866, the orchestral version of the Donauwalzer today is a gift of zest for life. Even the strict Johannes Brahms is enthusiastic and notes in a restaurant the melody on his napkin. Below he regrets: ‘Unfortunately not by me!’. All the conductors have conducted it and many artists have been inspired by. The composer Paul Lincke called it the ‘first hit in the world’!
Our Musical box playing this melody:
MUSICBOX
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All melodies