Strauss: A Musical Dynasty

Music aficionados amongst us readily recognise the Sinatras, Gibbs, Osmonds and Jacksons as some of the popular families in the world of music but of all, no family comes close to the Strauss dynasty which illuminated the scene centuries ago and continues to astound us long after their demise.

The imprint they left us with their beautifully composed scores cannot be emphasized enough, starting with patriarch, Johan Strauss I (1804-49), a self taught musician who will always be associated with the hugely acclaimed Radestky March (1848). This piece is certainly a crowd favourite during every New Year’s concert where the otherwise reticent audience will gamely clap to the beautiful tune.

A known womanizer, he fathered several illegitimate children but it was with his legal wife that 3 of their 6 children went on to carve their names in the same profession. Johann II (1825-99), dubbed “The Waltz King”, Josef (1827-70) and Eduard (1835-1916)

What the father achieved was well known but it was his eldest son Johann II who would go on to eclipse the former’s achievements. For reasons best known to the elder Strauss, Johann II was initially not encouraged to follow in his musical footsteps but thankfully he went against the wishes and some of his works as heard in Annen (1852), Tritsch-Tratsch (1858), Blue Danube (1867), Tales from the Vienna Woods (1868), Roses from the South (1880), Voices of Spring (1883) and the Emperor (1889) speak volume of his genius. These are very impressive credentials indeed for one who started out as bank clerk.
Wagner & Brahms are known admirers of his works. There is no better testimonial than be lauded by distinguished musicians!

As for Josef, he was a reluctant musician who was thrust into the limelight when a serious illness befell his elder brother, Johann II. Though the latter composed many memorable hits, Josef is regarded as the greatest genius of the Strauss family. Apart from being a musician, he was also a painter, dramatist, inventor, mathematician and poet.

Little wonder then that Johann II once famously remarked of his brother “Josef is the more gifted of us two; I am merely the more popular…”

Eduard, on the other hand, took over the baton from Josef in managing the Strauss family orchestra and like his more illustrious brothers; he was well-received, writing over 300 orchestral pieces. However, his output was not as critically praised as those of his brothers’.

All in all, the splendour of Vienna music is made possible, thanks partly to the Strauss dynasty.