JOHANN STRAUSS II: THE WALTZ KING
Johann Strauss Son, often simply referred to as Johann Strauss II, was one of the most renowned and influential figures in the music history of the 19th century. Known as the “Waltz King”, he played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the Viennese waltz, and his works are still considered the pinnacle of dance music today. Strauss was not only a composer of waltzes but also of operettas, polkas, and other orchestral works that brought him worldwide fame.
EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY
Johann Strauss was born on October 25, 1825, in Vienna. He grew up in a musical family, as his namesake father was a famous composer and conductor in his own right. Johann Strauss I was particularly known for his marches and dances, including the world-renowned “Radetzky March.” Johann II had two younger brothers, Josef and Eduard, who also became musicians.
Path to Music: Early Influences
From an early age, Johann was surrounded by the musical activities of his family. The waltzes and marches of his father left a lasting impression on him, even though his father was often away on tour. It wasn’t just his father; his mother Anna also supported and encouraged his love for music, often behind her husband’s back.
Despite his father’s disapproval of a musical career for his son, Johann showed a strong interest in music from a young age. With his mother’s support, he secretly learned to play the violin. He also took composition lessons and tried to teach himself the basics of music. His first works were written as a teenager, though they remained hidden to avoid conflict with his father. These early steps into the musical world were crucial for Johann’s later career as a composer and conductor.
Tensions Between Father and Son
The relationship between Johann and his father was fraught with tension. Johann Strauss I seeing himself as the head of the musical family, did not want his children to follow in his footsteps, especially Johann, for whom he had envisioned a more “serious” career. He feared that his son would never surpass his own success and saw Johann’s entry into the music business as a threat to the family’s legacy.
When his father discovered Johann’s ambitions, he tried for years to suppress his musical education. The rift deepened when Johann II founded his own orchestra in 1844, at the age of 19, against his father’s wishes. This family conflict ultimately led to Johann I separating from the family. The rivalry between them became a defining part of their relationship until the father’s death in 1849.
JOHANN’S RISE TO WALZ KING
Despite all the obstacles, Johann Strauss continued his musical education. His early career was not easy, as he had to work under the shadow of his father’s fame. However, after his death in 1849, Johann II took over his father’s orchestra and merged the two ensembles, which helped him increase his popularity.
Soon, he gained international recognition for his waltz compositions. Works like „The Blue Danube“ (1867), „Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald“ (1868), and „Künstlerleben“ (1867) became timeless masterpieces of dance music. His style was characterized by graceful lightness and a deep sense of melody and rhythm, which helped make the Viennese waltz a social phenomenon.
You can find a more detailed list and information on our page for Strauss’ most famous works.
The waltz as a revolutionary dance form
The waltz, originally a rural folk dance from the 18th century, quickly developed in the salons and ballrooms of Vienna into one of the most popular ballroom dances in Europe. In the early 19th century, the waltz was still considered scandalous because it was called too intimate and physical. However, over time it became more and more accepted, especially through the works of Johann Strauss’ father, who introduced and popularized the waltz into Viennese society.
Johann Strauss II revolutionized the waltz by refining it musically and giving it a more elegant, complex style. His waltzes were more than just dance music, but also concert pieces that the Viennese audience enjoyed listening to attentively. With masterpieces such as “The Blue Danube” and “Wiener Blut” he brought the Viennese waltz to international fame. Johann Strauss made a perceptible contribution to ensuring that the waltz was recognized as an artistically sophisticated form of music and is still considered a synonym for Viennese elegance and splendor today.
STRAUSS AND THE VIENNESE OPERETTA
The art form of the operetta emerged in mid-19th century France as a lighter, more entertaining form of opera. It soon also gained popularity in Vienna. While opera often involved serious, tragic music and stories, operettas were filled with humorous, lively plots and catchy tunes that appealed to a broader audience. Composers like Jacques Offenbach shaped the early development of operetta and laid the groundwork for this new genre, known for its wit and lightness.
Johann Strauss II played a central role in advancing Viennese operetta. With works such as „Die Fledermaus“ (1874), regarded as a masterpiece of Viennese operetta, and „Der Zigeunerbaron“ (1885), he elevated the operetta to a higher artistic level. He incorporated elements of the Viennese waltz and other dance forms, creating lively, captivating music that perfectly complemented the humorous and often romantic stories in his operettas. He composed over 15 operettas, some of which remain among the most popular of their kind today. His influence helped the Viennese operetta become internationally renowned and left a lasting mark on the genre.
PRIVATE LIFE
Johann Strauss’ personal life was tumultuous, strongly shaped by his three marriages. His first wife Henrietta “Jetty” Treffz, a renowned opera singer, supported him both personally and professionally. Their marriage in 1862 provided Strauss with stability and allowed him to focus on his music. Jetty managed his career and was a key emotional and organizational support for him. They remained together until her death in 1878. After that Strauss deeply mourned her loss.
After Jetty’s death, Strauss married the young actress Angelika Dittrich in the same year. However, this second marriage was not a happy one. Angelika showed little interest in Johann’s musical activities and sought attention and fame herself. The relationship was contentious from the start, and tensions that eventually drove the two apart soon arose. Although Strauss did not officially divorce, he lived separately from her.
In 1887, Strauss finally married his third wife Adele Deutsch who gave him stability and affection in his final years. Adele was a loyal and understanding partner who supported him and stood up for his rights and his work. She played a key role in Strauss converting to Protestantism and giving up his Austrian citizenship in order to legitimize their marriage in the church. Adele remained by his side until his death and helped him overcome the challenges of his late life. Even after his death, she worked to preserve his musical legacy and continued to make his works famous.
For more information about Strauss’ eventful family history, we recommend our article about the Strauss dynasty!
Late years and death
In his later years, Johann Strauss gradually withdrew from public life. He increasingly suffered from health problems, including heart and circulatory problems and chronic pneumonia. These physical ailments affected his ability to conduct and give concerts regularly. Despite his health limitations, he remained creatively active and continued to compose operettas and dance music, albeit on a smaller scale.
One of his last major compositions was the operetta “Die Göttin der Vernunft” (1897) which did not bring the success he had hoped for. Nevertheless, Strauss’s musical legacy remained strong and his works continued to be celebrated. He spent the last years of his life in Vienna, where, supported by his wife Adele, he tried to recover as best as possible and remain true to his work.
On June 3, 1899, Johann Strauss died of pneumonia at the age of 73. His death marked the end of an era in Viennese music history. He was buried in Vienna’s Central Cemetery, where his grave is still visited today as a memorial to his musical genius. The music world mourned the loss of the “Waltz King” but his legacy lives on. To this day, his compositions are an integral part of Viennese cultural life and his influence on the development of the waltz and operetta remains undisputed.
MUSICAL INFLUENCE
Johann Strauss II was not only a superstar in Vienna but also internationally. He undertook extensive concert tours throughout Europe and America, performing before royalty and nobility. His music embodied the elegance and vibrancy of Viennese life in the 19th century.
Strauss’ waltzes influenced not only the dance and social music of his time but also many other composers, including Johannes Brahms, who was an admirer of Strauss. Brahms famously commented, “Unfortunately not by me”, when writing a dedication on the sheet music of „The Blue Danube“ in recognition of Strauss’ uncomparable mastery in this genre.
Strauss legacy
Strauss’ music continues to endure in modern times. The annual Vienna New Year’s Concert, which is broadcast worldwide, features mainly works of the Strauss family, in particular Johann Strauss II. His legacy lives on through these traditions and his compositions are continually rediscovered.
Johann Strauss II was a musical genius who managed to perfect the Viennese waltz and make it popular all around the world. His ability to combine graceful melodies with complex rhythms made him one of the most successful composers of his time. His waltzes and operettas have stood the test of time and are still an integral part of the classical music scene today. Especially in the festive year of 2025, the legend of the Waltz King is more alive than ever.