On the Beautiful Blue Danube
by Hemakumar Nanayakkara
The Blue Danube Waltz was
composed by Austrian master komponist (composer) Johann Strauss II in
1866. This masterpiece was originally performed on February 13, 1867 at
a concert of Vienna Men's Choral Association. The very first performance
was a vocal version that didn't happen to be a success.
 A waltz most often refers to a dance, usually performed in 3/4 times,
that features three steps per measure, has dance partners in a close
position holding on to each other, has elegant swirls and twirls while
beautifully gliding and sliding on the floor.
The song Blue Danube was written by a poet named Josef Weyl, who
needed to change some of his lyrics to match the music of Johann Strauss
II. A couple of years later an orchestral version of Blue Danube Waltz
was introduced by Strauss at the World's Fair in Paris.
This instrumental version became a great success. This legendary work
is the best sold piece of sheet music in the world. It is also the most
commonly played version of The Blue Danube today.
This sentimental piece of dance music has become a sort of unofficial
national anthem of Austria. It is the traditional encore music at the
famous annual New Year Concert of Vienna. Also one could hear the sound
of Blue Danube Waltz in some of the popular movies such as 2001 A Space
Odyssey, Heaven's Gate, True Lies and Titantc.
Johann Strauss II who is better known as the Waltz King, did so much
work for the popularity of waltzes in Vienna during the 19th century.
Some of his other popular waltzes are Tales from Vienna Woods, Emperor
Waltz and Roses from the South.
The Blue Danube Waltz is the most regularly played popular piece of
music among all waltzes that endured for more than a hundred years.
By composing Blue Danube Waltz Johann Strauss II has turned the murky
grey waters of Danube into a gently swirling clear blue river. |
