Johann Strauss
Johann Strauss, the Elder (1804-49). Austrian violinist, conductor, and composer, nicknamed The Father of the Waltz’. His son Johann Strauss the Younger (1825-99) had to study music in secret because his fa-ther wanted him to go into business. The debut of his orchestra in 1844 was highly successful, and it soon rivalled his father’s orchestra. He composed many dance pieces, including the ‘Blue Danube’ and ‘Emperor’ waltzes and the ‘Thunder and Lightning’ polka. He also wrote such successful operettas as Die Fleder-maus (1874). Johann’s brother Josef (1827-70) was also a composer of waltzes.
