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
Thursday, 30. May 200219.30 o' clock Vienna ⁄ Musikverein ⁄ The Große Musikvereinssaal
Concert at the Musikverein Vienna Concert on the occasion of the 175th birthday of Josef Strauss
Alfred Eschwé conductor
Program Franz von Suppè : Ouverture zu «Die schöne Galatea» Josef Strauss : Moulinet Polka / Polka française op. 57 Josef Strauss : Forward! / Quick Polka op. 127 Josef Strauss : Delirien / Waltz op. 212 Josef Strauss : From Afar / Polka mazurka op. 270 Josef Strauss : Pêle-Mêle / Polka schnell op. 161 Josef Strauss : Transactions / Waltz op. 184 Break Franz von Suppè : Ouverture zu «Boccaccio» Josef Strauss : Music of the Spheres / Waltz op. 235 Josef Strauss : Eingesendet / Polka schnell op. 240 Johann & Josef Strauss : Pizzicato Polka Josef Strauss : Dioscuri Quadrille op. 32 Josef Strauss : Carriére / polka fast op. 200 Josef Strauss : My Character is Love and Joy / Waltz op. 263 Encore Josef Strauss : Chatterboxes: musical joke / Polka op. 245 Josef Strauss : Buchstaben / Polka francaise op. 252 Josef Strauss : Without a Care! / Quick polka op. 271 Johann Strauss I : Radetzky March op. 228
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