Albion polka
The Albion Polka is a polka by Johann Strauss Sohn (op. 102). The work was performed for the first time in the autumn of 1851 in the Palais Coburg in Vienna .
Remarks
The story of this work has a political background. In 1851 John Fane, 11th Earl of Westmorland (1784-1859), became British Ambassador to Vienna. He was to hold this office until 1855. In addition to his various political and military offices, Fane, like his wife, had a penchant for music. Among other things, he was also active as a composer. In previous years, political relations between the Austrian Empire and Great Britain had been very bad. But now it was important on both sides to improve these relationships. To this end, Johann Strauss was asked to play at a house ball for the ambassador, who resided in the Palais Coburg . Against this background, the waltz Windsor Sounds (op. 104), which was dedicated to the British Queen Victoria , was created. This polka has now been dedicated to her husband Albert von Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha . It is not known when exactly the premiere took place. It probably took place in the autumn of 1851 in the English embassy, the Palais Coburg . It was performed a few weeks before the mentioned waltz Windsor Sounds (January 10, 1852). The name of the polka is derived from the Celtic word albainn . This word referred to the inhabitants of the British Isles.
The playing time on the CD listed under individual records is 3 minutes and 31 seconds. This time can vary somewhat depending on the conductor's musical conception.
Web links
Individual proof
- ↑ Source: English version of the booklet (page 32) in the 52 CD complete edition of the orchestral works by Johann Strauss (son), published by Naxos (label) . The work can be heard as the fourth track on the 9th CD.