Synopsis
The Radetzky March is undoubtedly Johann Strauss, Sr.’s most famous work. Its performance has become obligatory at the New Year’s concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic — it’s that piece that involves audience participation in the form of a “clap along.”
The premiere of this familiar music took place on today’s date in 1848 with a distinct political subtext — back then, not everyone back then was clapping along.
Field Marshall Radetzky was the commander of the Austrian forces that rather brutally put down “insurgent democrats” in Italy during the liberal revolutions of 1848, and, as such, became a counter-revolutionary hero in Europe. The premiere of Radetzky March occurred at a concert attended chiefly by monarchists and the Austrian military, and the tune quickly became the unofficial anthem of the Austrian military and ultra-conservatives — the “far right” of that time.
Curiously enough, Johann Strauss, Jr. held diametrically opposite, and considerably liberal, political sympathies from his father.
By the end of the 19th century, however, the bloody political troubles of 1848 were diplomatically swept under the collective Austrian carpet, and Johann Strauss, Jr.’s Blue Danube Waltz became the unofficial anthem for all Austrians, right, left and center.
Music Played in Today's Program
Johann Strauss, Sr. (1804-1849): Radetzky March; Vienna Philharmonic; Willi Boskovsky, conductor; London/Decca 460250
On This Day
Births
1834 - Italian opera composer Amilcare Ponchielli, in Paderno Fasolaro, Cremona
Premieres
1928 - Kurt Weill: Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera) in Berlin at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, to a libretto by German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht
1970 - Birtwistle: Verses for Ensembles, in London
2000 - Philip Glass: opera In the Penal Colony (based on a story by Franz Kafka), by A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) in Seattle
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About Composers Datebook®
Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.
He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.