Evening star., 1949-03-06
Vienna Maps
Celebration
For Strauss
by Alice Eyersmon

l949 - an anniversary year.
Latest news to be released is about
the commemoration Of the 50th
death anniversary Of Johann
Strauss, the Younger. which Will
be held in Vienna in June. In
the city that danced gaily to the
music of "The Waltz King" dur
ing his lifetime, the various mu-
sic groups will unite to do honor
to his memory through the first
week of the month. The cere-
monies will begin with the plac-
ing of a wreath at the foot OF the
statue of Strauss in the Stadt
Park. A Strauss concert will be
given by the Vienna Philharmonic
that night.
A formal procession to the CON-
poser's grave on June 8 will be
followed by q serenade in the
Rathousplatz in which the Vienna
Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna
Opera Ballet and the Vienna
Choir Society will participate.
The fountains, the Strauss monu-
ment, the city hall and the square
will be illumined. In the Festsaal
of the Rathous on the 4th, grand
ball will be held in the traditional
Viennese fashion, and the Tom
skunstler Orchestra will give a
Strauss concert the next day.
The Vienna Opera Company will
stage a new production of Die
Fledermaus" that night, and the
Maennergesangsverein and the
Vienna Schubert Society will give
"a concert on the 9th. Noted
Viennese artists combine in a
program at the Konzerthaus the
following day, and the celebra-
tions will end with garden party
in the park of the Castle von
IHetzendorf.
THE most musical head I have
ever come across" Wagner said Of
the Waltz King" With father
already wearing the crown, it
seemed an impossible feat for the
son to out-do-him. It was not
long. however, before he was
known the length and breadth OF
Europe. The gayest, madest dane
ing that the now war weary con-
tinent has ever known was set in
motion. Like Schubert Strauss
could write something IN the morn
ing and find it proclaimed . mas
terpiece when played that night.
Music came as easily to all mem
bers of that gifted family. The
younger brother, Josef, a sober
inventor, consented to help Jo-
ham out when the latter was Ill
and direct his orchestra for him.
He wrote a waltz for that occasion
and called it THE First and Last
Dance of Josef Strauss" Before
his life was ended he wrote close to
300 waltzes. Even the youngest.
Eduard, who had repudiated a
musicians life also, was drawn
into the whirl.. At one concert, all
three brothers conducted individ-
ual orchestras.
The father, Johann. did every
thing in his power to keep his sons
from composing and making
music. Knowing the contempt in
which musicians were held. ne
hoped to have them gain recog-
milton in other fields. He counted
without his wife, however, who,
long-suffering from his neglect.
secretly aided the boys IN their
music study. When Johann the
Younger defied his father and an
nounced a concert Of his own, the
entire city of Vienna took sides.
Many came to gloat over the sons
failure only to remain to applaud
him wildly. In short time the
son had eclipsed the father.
Brahms was his great friend.
Once when autographing a pic
ture, he wrote the first bars OF BY
the Beautiful Blue Danube" add
ing Unfortunately, not by
Brahms"
The waltzes, headed by The
Blue Danube" and other music OF
Strauss so popular in this country
represents but a small portion OF
his writings. Some years ago, the
Library of Congress was able to
obtain a great deal more through
a e-Anschluss agreement with
Vienna. At that time a large
shipment was made to the Library
by the late Paul Loewenberg who
found also valuable information
regarding the Strauss family.
Later. when the music was sorted,
the Columbia Broadcasting SYM
phony, under Howard Barlow.
played several of the waltzes and
polkas for the first time in this
country. Among them was one
with a prophetic title. "Amerlka
du hast es besser."