My Choice 605 - Johann Strauss II: Artist's Life

Artists' Life (Künstlerleben) op. 316 is a waltz written by Johann Strauss II in 1867, following closely on the success of the popular The Blue Danube waltz.

This is considered as the "twin" of The Blue Danube Waltz. We're showing photos of various scenery around the world.

Johann Strauss II and Josef Strauss both presented sparkling new works at the 'Hesperus' Ball which was held at the Dianabad-Saal on 18 February 1867, with the 'Artists Life' waltz presented just three nights after the successful performance of The Blue Danube at the same venue. The 'Hesperus' Association known as the Vienna Artists' Association was a well-known and influential society of which all three Strauss brothers were members.

The new waltz was quickly heralded as a new 'twin' of the 'Blue Danube' and its popularity has since been retained in the classical music repertoire. The composer's best inspiration can be seen in the Introduction of the waltz, which began with a plaintive horn solo and a quietly dramatic string passage in A minor.

A pensive waltz melody in A major was introduced, before being cut short by two loud and fierce chords. The first waltz section was then played, with a high-spirited tune and a robust accompanying waltz passage. The second waltz section was a melancholic tune in two parts, with the same dramatic chords as heard in the Introduction before a more upbeat tune heralds the entry of the happier third section. The plaintive mood of the waltz continued in the fifth section before the minor-sounding Coda (tail-piece) was brought in. The first waltz melody makes another quiet entrance before the waltz was brought to its triumphant close, with a strong chord and flourish, underlined by a snare-drumroll.

Video by Alfred with the help of Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech, Mosta, Malta.
© jasalf5959 - 2010

Music is copyrighted by its corresponding owners. No infringement of copyright is meant and if it does infringe, please message me and I'll remove it.

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[97641282]

Thanks Alfred,absolutely beautiful.

[malpen04]

@97641282 I loved this waltz since i was a kid. Thanks John.

[Pilarfay]

Comi siempre una música y video maravillosos *****

Saludos Pilar

[malpen04]

@Pilarfay Thank you Pilar and glad you liked it.

[jasmine7201]

Very nice music and very beautiful images...Great video.

Thank you Alfred for sharing.

Have a lovely evening.

Jasmine.

[malpen04]

@jasmine7201 Merci Jasmine.

[gonzalofiskal]

anyone has the sheet music for horn?

[mychoicealfred6]

@mmaybrown Thank M Brown. Sorry, I don't know the name of the orchestra - did not have it available. Regards from Malta.

[mmaybrown]

This is really nice! What orchestra is playing this? There is a lot of good phrasings in this recording.

M. Brown - Canada

[MrRoteso]

Excelso...Maraviloso

[mychoicealfred2]

@jrakg This is one of his beauties and he has others also that make him immortal. thanks for your comment and reards from Malta.

[jrakg]

Yes, this and its nearest "sibling", the Blue Danube, would surely be enough to guarantee Johann Strauss Jnr's music living forever. Yet he wrote more than 180 other waltzes! - John Austin, Australia