An der schönen blauen Donau

“The Blue Danube“ is said to be Austria’s secret anthem, and alongside the “Radetzky March” it is the traditional encore piece at the annual New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Already at its world premiere in 1867, this orchestral work triggered overwhelming enthusiasm, and the premiere of the choral version prompted a journalist to use the term “Schlager” (hit) for the first time in music history. The official title “By the Beautiful Blue Danube” is based on poems by Karl Isidor Becks; having his birth town Baja in mind, he contrasted the “blue” Danube with another river, the “blonde” Theiss. How utterly astonishing that this famous waltz is not really linked to Vienna. Be that as it may, its sensational popularity remains unimpaired.