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 202411.00 o' clock Vienna ⁄ Musikverein ⁄ The Große Musikvereinssaal
Frühlingskonzert im Goldenen Saal
Christoph Koncz conductor
Program Johann Strauss II : Ouverture to «Die Fledermaus» Johann Strauss II : Bitte schön / Polka française op. 372 Johann Strauss II : Perpetual Motion / Musical joke op. 257 Johann Strauss II : Treasure Waltz op. 418 Johann Strauss II : Eljen A Magyar! « Long Live the Magyar!» / Quick polka op. 332 Josef Strauss : Delirien / Waltz op. 212 Break Otto Nicolai : Ouverture zur Oper «Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor» Josef Strauss : Heart of Woman / Polka mazurka op. 166 Josef Strauss : Music of the Spheres / Waltz op. 235 Josef Strauss : On Holiday Travels! / Quick polka op. 133 Léo Delibes : Pizzicato from the ballet Sylvia Johann Strauss II : The Blue Danube / Waltz op. 314 Encore Joseph Hellmesberger jun. : Leichtfüssig / Polka schnell op. 184 Johann Strauss I : Radetzky March op. 228
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