Figaro polka
The Figaro Polka is a polka by Johann Strauss Sohn (op. 320). The work was first performed on July 30, 1867 at the World's Fair in Paris .
Remarks
In 1867, with the help of some connections to influential people in the French capital, Johann Strauss managed to be invited to Paris, where he was supposed to play a few concerts on the sidelines of the world exhibition there and perform some of his compositions. However, he had to do without his own chapel. He made use of the orchestra of Benjamin Bilse (1816–1902) in Paris . Incidentally, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra later emerged from the members of this orchestra . Bilse was no stranger to Strauss, who had once played the violin in Johann Strauss (father's) chapel . The first performances in Paris had not been particularly successful. In this situation, the then editor-in-chief of the newspaper Le Figaro Hypolite Auguste Delaunay de Villemessant (1810–1879) came to the aid of the Viennese composer. He used his newspaper for large-scale advertising campaigns for his concerts. Thereupon these received the hoped-for influx and Johann Strauss succeeded in doing well with most of his works. This made his guest appearance in Paris a success. Out of gratitude to the newspaper Le Figaro and its editor-in-chief, Strauss composed the Figaro polka while he was in Paris and dedicated it to the editor-in-chief. The work was then premiered in Paris at the Cercle International . In Vienna it was heard for the first time on January 19, 1868 as part of the concerts in the flower halls of the Horticultural Society.
The playing time on the CD listed under individual records is 5 minutes and 3 seconds. This time can vary somewhat depending on the conductor's musical conception.
Web links
Individual proof
- ↑ Source: English version of the booklet (page 61) 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 ninth track on the 21st CD.