Josef Strauss

Short biography Josef Strauss was born on 20 August 1827 in Vienna, the second son of Johann Strauss the Elder. He originally studied engineering and worked as an architect and inventor before embarking on a career in music. From 1853 he followed in his family's footsteps as a conductor and composer, at times leading the orchestra of his brother Johann Strauss the Younger. He died on 22 July 1870 in Vienna, aged only 43, presumably as a result of a collapse suffered during a performance in Warsaw.

Historical placement Josef Strauss belongs to the Viennese dance music tradition of the Romantic era and is a central figure of the Viennese waltz in the 19th century. His style is considered more lyrical and reflective than that of his brother Johann, with a pronounced melodic elegance and harmonic sophistication. He made a significant contribution to the golden age of Viennese light music and is recognised by music historians as an artistically independent personality within the Strauss dynasty.

Personal connections Johann Strauss the Elder was his father, who shaped the musical environment in which Josef grew up. Johann Strauss the Younger was his elder brother, with whom he collaborated closely and whose orchestra he led for a time; together they composed the Pizzicato-Polka. Eduard Strauss was his younger brother, likewise a conductor and composer in the family tradition.

Important works

Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb und Lust – waltz (op. 263)
Sphärenklänge – waltz (op. 235)
Dorfschwalben aus Österreich – waltz (op. 164)
Dynamiden – waltz (op. 173)
Delirien – waltz (op. 212)
Aquarellen – waltz (op. 258)
Plappermäulchen – polka schnell (op. 245)
Ohne Sorgen – polka schnell (op. 271)
Pizzicato-Polka – polka (without op. no., jointly composed with Johann Strauss the Younger, 1869)
Die Libelle – polka-mazurka (op. 204)