Blue Danube Waltz facts for kids

On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 is a very famous waltz (a type of dance music) composed by Johann Strauss II. He was a famous composer from Vienna, Austria. He wrote this piece in 1867 for the Vienna Men's Singing Society. It was first created for a four-part choir with an orchestra or piano. Josef Weyl wrote the words for the song.

First Performance and Fame

The waltz was first performed on February 15, 1867. The Vienna Men's Singing Society sang it, and the orchestra of the Forty-Second Infantry Regiment played the music. Rudolph Weinwurm directed this first performance.

Later, the waltz was played without voices on March 4 and March 10 of the same year. These performances were to help Strauss's brothers. The waltz became a huge hit when it was played at the Paris Exposition in 1867. This amazing performance helped Johann Strauss II become famous all over the world. Carl Anton Spina published the waltz in 1867.

The Music of the Waltz

The music of "The Blue Danube" starts with a slow introduction. After this, there are five smaller waltzes. Each of these waltzes has two parts. Some parts of the music have big jumps between notes, while others have smooth, flowing melodies. The piece ends with a part called a coda. The coda brings back different melodies from the waltz and finishes with a lively, exciting sound.

Worldwide Popularity

"The Blue Danube" quickly became popular around the world. The instrumental version (without voices) was first played in the United States on July 1, 1867, in New York. It was first heard in Great Britain on September 21, 1867, in London. This happened at the promenade concerts in Covent Garden.

Today, the instrumental version of the waltz is usually performed. It is a very special piece in Vienna. On New Year's Eve, the waltz is played on television and radio stations exactly at midnight. It is also often played as an encore (an extra piece) at the famous Vienna New Year's Day Concert.

Images for kids

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  The first few bars of The Blue Danube waltz, signed by the composer

See also

In Spanish: El Danubio azul para niños