For the medical students’ ball in the Carnival season of 1868, which was held in the Sofien-Saal in Vienna, Josef Strauss had composed a new waltz with the title Sphärenklänge, ‘respectfully dedicated to the gentlemen students of medicine at the University of Vienna’; as can be read on the title page of the piano edition, which was brought out by the Viennese music publisher Carl Anton Spina. The new composition — played by the Strauss Orchestra after midnight — was ‘particularly well received’ by the ball guests. On the other hand, the next day the reporter for the Fremden-Blatt newspaper grumbled disapprovingly, ‘The melodies of this waltz were better than its title, since it makes a rather strange impression when at the medical students’ ball, of all places, one is reminded musically of “the other world”.’ The basis of this critical remark is the ancient notion, already formulated by the Greek philosopher, mathematician and scientist Pythagoras, that as the heavenly bodies move in space sounds are produced (the music of the spheres), which, however, cannot be heard by mortals.
Music of the Spheres / Waltz © by Kulturverein Wiener Blut
Wednesday, 01. May 201911.00 o' clock Vienna ⁄ Musikverein ⁄ The Große Musikvereinssaal
Spring concert
Alfred Eschwé conductor
Program Josef Strauss : Watercolours / Waltz op. 258 Josef Strauss : Mailust / polka française op. 182 Josef Strauss : Allerlei / Polka schnell op. 219 Josef Strauss : Marien-Klänge / Walzer op. 214 Josef Strauss : Arm in Arm / Polka mazurka op. 215 Josef Strauss : Jockey / Quick polka op. 278 Josef Strauss : Music of the Spheres / Waltz op. 235 Break Johann Strauss II : Overture to the operetta «Waldmeister» (Woodruff) Johann Strauss II : Artist’s Life / Waltz op. 316 Johann Strauss II : Figaro-Polka / Polka op. 320 Johann Strauss II : Ball bouquet / Quick polka op. 380 Johann Strauss II : A Masked Ball, Quadrille on Themes from Verdi’s Opera «Un ballo in masquera» op. 272 Johann Strauss II : « Happy Is He Who Forgets!», Polka Mazurka op. 368 Johann Strauss II : Magic Bullets / Polka schnell op. 326 Johann Strauss II : Tales from the Vienna Woods / Waltz op. 325
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