Monday 17 June 2013
Tune of the Day: The Emperor Waltz
by Johann Strauss II, transcribed for solo flute
Johann Strauss II composed the Kaiser-Walzer in 1889. The waltz was originally titled “Hand in Hand”, and was intended as a toast made in August of that year by Austrian emperor Franz Josef on the occasion of his visit to the German Kaiser Wilhelm II where it was symbolic as a ”toast of friendship” extended by Austria to Germany. Strauss' publisher, Fritz Simrock, suggested the title Kaiser-Walzer since the title could allude to either monarch, and thus satisfy the vanity of both rulers.