strauss-ii 142 years ago
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Strauss II | Frühlingsstimmen | Voices of Spring (1882)

"Frühlingsstimmen", Op. 410 or "Voices of Spring" is an orchestral waltz, with optional solo soprano voice, written in 1882 by Johann Strauss II.

Strauss dedicated the work to the pianist and composer Alfred Grünfeld. The famous coloratura soprano Bertha Schwarz (stage name Bianca Bianchi) sang this concert aria at a grand matinée charity performance at the Theater an der Wien in aid of the "Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth Foundation for Indigent Austro-Hungarian subjects in Leipzig".


The waltz was not a great success at its premiere, but was more successful when performed on Strauss' tour of Russia in 1886. A piano arrangement by the composer contributed much to its success beyond Vienna.


Grünfeld, the work's dedicatee and a pianist and composer in his own right, also wrote and recorded his own concert transcription of the work for solo piano.


PERFORMANCE

Music video by André Rieu.

Strauss II
1825 - 1899