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Waltz. First Played: Summer
1854. When Josef had to reluctantly
substitute for Johann as conductor
of the orchestra, he wrote "The First and Last" (1853). In May of
1854, he was once again forced into substiuting for his brother.
With a bit of irony he wrote the waltz
"The First After the Last".
(298KB)
First Played: 20 April 1861. Later used for the intermezzo for the operetta Frühlingsluft arranged by Ernst Reitterer. Quite possibly the most beautiful, restful piece ever written. (155KB)
Quick Polka. First Played: 7 June 1857. Written as a wedding present to his bride, this piece was first played at Uger's Casino in Hemals on the eve of their wedding. (381KB)
Waltz. First Played 17 January 1865. This was the dedication waltz at the Medical Student's Ball. (215KB)
Waltz. First Played: 30 January 1865. The title suggested by Josef was Dynamiden. Written for for Industrialist's Ball at the Redoutensall at the Imperial Palace. Josef showed in this piece supernatural forces, which wish to hide behind what appears to be reality. Considered to be a masterpiece. Dynamiden is echoed in Richard Strauss' Rosenkavalier-Walzer. (381KB)
Polka Mazurka. First Played: Summer 1855. In 19th Century Vienna, a man and woman would eat a piece of pastry from either end until the partner's lip met in a kiss. The custom was known as Vielliebchen-Essen or eating sweethearts. (199KB)
Polka Francaise. First Played: 13 March 1869. Comissioned to celebrate the manufacturing of the twenty-thousandth iron safe. Possibly the first "heavy metal" piece of music as the sounds of the forge hammers can still be heard. (221KB)
Waltz. First Played: 21 January 1868. Written for the medical association ball, this is among the most impressive tone poems in all of Viennese music. Josef may have felt closer to the hereafter than he wanted to admit. A beautiful, mystical piece. (381KB)
Polka. First Played: 27 June 1863. Amouretti are winged love-gods from Roman mythology. In Old Vienna, they were romantic liasons between lovers, or the lovers themselves. (182KB)
Polka Mazurka. First Played: 15 July 1864. This piece once again shows Josef's affinity with nature. (215KB)
Polka Mazurka. First Played: 21 October 1866. This piece reproduces the wing beats of the dragonfly skimming above the surface of rivers and lakes. It is a beautiful, graceful piece. (193KB)
