Freudensgrüße, Walzer, Op. 128 - Josef Strauss

"Best Wishes". In the summer of 1862 Josef Strauss had to travel hurriedly to Russia to replace his brother Johann as director of the summer concerts in Pavlovsk near St Petersburg. Johann had fallen ill and returned to Vienna immediately upon his brother's arrival. Before he actually began his convalescence leave, Johann Strauss married Jetty Treffz (stage name for Henriette Chalupetzky) on 27 August at St. Stephans. Josef resented this, and in the fall, when Johann surreptitiously concluded a new contract with the Russian railway company in St Petersburg, Josef felt that he had been deceived. However, he dutifully resumed his work at the helm of the orchestra in Vienna; after a brief rest, Josef Strauss organised a festival concert at the 'Sperl' dance hall on 9 November 1862 and presented his waltz Freuden-Gruße to the public as the highlight of the novelties from his Russian summer. That 'Pepi' was in fact happy to be able to perform again before 'his audience' is apparent in the character of this masterful composition. The Freuden-Gruße waltz was received with enthusiasm and became a permanent fixture on programmes for concerts of Viennese music.

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Painting: Goodbye, on the Mersey
Artist: James Tissot
Date: 1880

Wiener Kammerorchester
Anton Paulik