Demolirer polka
The Demolirer Polka is a polka - française by Johann Strauss II (op 269th). The work was performed for the first time on November 22nd, 1862 in the Zum Sperl dance hall in Vienna.
Remarks
The polka premiered at the composer's first concert on his return from his honeymoon. (He had married Jetty Treffz on August 27, 1862 ). The background to the naming of the work was the urban redesign, which was hotly controversial in Vienna at the time. Emperor Franz Joseph I ordered the demolition of the old city walls and the construction of the Ringstrasse . This demolition met with strong opposition from conservatives and traditionally minded citizens. They saw a break with tradition and viewed with suspicion the construction workers brought in from remote parts of the Danube monarchy for the purpose of construction work. On the other hand, the restructuring was welcomed by liberals and progress-oriented people, who saw the rebuilding as a great opportunity for the further development of Vienna. In retrospect, they should be proved right. The emperor got his way and the urban redevelopment continued. Johann Strauss was not one of its critics. With the Demolirer Polka he musically reminded of the demolition of the old city walls .
The playing time on the CD listed under individual records is 3 minutes and 16 seconds. This time can vary somewhat depending on the conductor's musical conception.
Web links
Individual proof
- ↑ Source: English version of the booklet (page 41) in the 52 CD complete edition of the orchestral works by Johann Strauss (son), publisher Naxos (label) . The work can be heard as the sixth track on CD 13.