On The Beautiful Blue Danube 

Johann Strauss II

Romantic Period

Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)

• From Vienna, Austria 
• Born Oct. 25, 1825
• Died in Vienna in 1899
• Widely known as "The Waltz King"
• Father was also a composer

The Blue Danube

• Type of Composition: Symphony
• Brief program notes: The work begins with the key of A major with tremolo violins and a horn projecting the familiar waltz theme. The composition is then accented with wind chords. A typical performance lasts around 10 minutes: seven-minute main piece, followed by a three-minute coda.
• Interesting facts: Written to celebrate the River Danube that flows through Vienna. 
• Famous performances/uses: It was premiered as a choral piece on February 13, 1867 at a concert of the Vienna Men’s Choral Association. It was used in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Visual Representation

 This represents dancing and floating on clouds which is the feeling we feel while listening to this song.

This piece is a painting of the Danube that inspired the composition.

LISTENING CLUES

Instruments Include:

flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, french horn, trumpet, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, bass drum, triangle, snare drum, harp, violins, violas, cellos, double bass

String instruments are most prominent.

This song is not easily confused with the other assigned pieces because this song has different tempo and has a distinct melody.

This piece is set apart in its familiarity, because it's an iconic piece that nearly everyone has heard of at some point through the use of movies, shows, etc.

This song's timbre can be described as; light, elegant, floating, graceful, etc.

WHERE THIS SONG IS HEARD

• the annual Encore at Vienna's New Year's Concert 
• the famous waltz 
• the opening song of the 2001 "A Space Odyssey" movie

The Blue Danube- Waltz of the Geese

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