German (waltz)
German is a waltz by Johann Strauss Sohn (op. 220). The work was performed for the first time on March 7, 1859 in the Zum Sperl pub .
Remarks
The country- style waltz was composed for Mardi Gras in 1859 and performed on Shrove Monday of that year in the Zum Sperl dance hall . Since Johann Strauss was ill, his brother Josef took over the direction of this event. At first the title had a political meaning. Due to foreign policy tensions with France, diplomatic (and perhaps military) support from some German states was expected in the Danube Monarchy. (There was no unified Germany at that time.) Shortly before the premiere, the composer changed and depoliticized this meaning for a short time. The new meaning was now German sympathies in the dance world (victory of the waltz) . The work was well received, also because of its abundance of beautiful melodies. In the coda the composer quoted his father's waltz Deutsche Lust or Donaulieder without text (op. 127) .
The playing time on the CD listed under individual records is 7 minutes and 14 seconds. Depending on the musical conception of the conductor, this time can change by up to a minute plus or minus.
Web links
Individual proof
- ↑ Source: English version of the booklet (page 79) 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 seventh track on the 29th CD.