Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

German Emperor

Donald Macleod explains how Johann Strauss II, an Austrian national hero enjoying the adulation of Europe, became a German citizen. The Nazis would later alter his ancestry.

The story of the Waltz Kings: today Donald Macleod finds out how Strauss II, Austrian national hero enjoying the adulation of Europe, became a German citizen. Unknown to Strauss, the Nazis would later "alter" his ancestry.

In order to marry his third wife, Strauss converted to Protestantism and became a German citizen. He still longed to write a "serious" comic opera, but accolades from across the globe poured in as Vienna celebrated the anniversary of the first performance of its favoured son. In a bizarre twist of history however, Strauss's ancestry would later be falsely doctored by the Nazis.

J Strauss II: Simplicius - Introduction to Act II
Louise Martini, spoken (Schnapslotte)
Martina Jankova, soprano (Tilli)
Heikki Yrttiaho, bass (Kurassier)
Chor des Opernhauses Z眉rich
Orchester der Oper Z眉rich
Franz Welser-M枚st, conductor

J Strauss II: Ritter Pazman (Czardas)
Alfred Walter, conductor
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra

J Strauss II: Waldmeister (Overture)
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: An der Elbe, Walzer, Op 477
Alfred Walter, conductor
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra

J Strauss II: Neue Pizzicato Polka, Op 449
Willi Boskovsky, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: Kaiser-Walzer, Op 437
Willi Boskovsky, conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker

J Strauss II: Aufs Korn, Marsch, Op 478
Gerhard Track, conductor
Wiener M盲nnergesang-Verein
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

Producer: Dominic Jewel.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 26 May 2017 18:30

More episodes

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Johann Strauss II

    Simplicius - Introduction to Act II

    Conductor: Franz Welser鈥怣枚st. Choir: Chorus of the Z眉rich Opera House.
    • EMI : CDC-557 010 2.
    • EMI.
    • 9.
  • Johann Strauss

    Ritter Pazman - Czardas

    Orchestra: Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Alfred Walter.
    • Naxos: 8.223245.
    • Naxos.
    • 6.
  • Johann Strauss

    Waldmeister - Overture

    Performer: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Lorin Maazel.
    • DGG : 453-052-2.
    • DGG.
    • 1.
  • Johann Strauss

    An der Elbe, Walzer Op. 477

    Conductor: Alfred Walter. Orchestra: Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Marco Polo: 8.223238.
    • Marco Polo.
    • 9.
  • Johann Strauss

    Neue Pizzicato Polka Op. 449

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Willi Boskovsky.
    • DECCA : 425-428-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 4.
  • Johann Strauss

    Kaiser-Walzer Op. 437

    Conductor: Willi Boskovsky. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic.
    • DECCA : 455-254-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 3.
  • Johann Strauss

    Aufs Korn, Marsch Op. 478

    Choir: Carl Maria Von Weber Men's Chorus. Performer: Wiener M盲nnergesang-Verein. Orchestra: Slovak R S O. Conductor: Johannes Wildner.
    • Marco Polo: 8.223250.
    • Marco Polo.
    • 8.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 17 Jun 2016 12:00
  • Fri 17 Jun 2016 18:30
  • Fri 26 May 2017 12:00
  • Fri 26 May 2017 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.