Josef Strauss - Actionen Walzer, Op. 174 (1865)

Josef Luckhardt Strauss (20 August 1827 – 22 July 1870) was an Austrian composer. He was the brother of Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss. His father wanted him to choose a career in the Austrian Habsburg military. He studied music with Franz Dolleschal and learned to play the violin with Franz Anton Ries.

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Actionen Walzer, Op. 174 (1865)
Composed for the lawyers’ ball held on 31 January 1865 at the Sophiensaal in Vienna.

1. Introduction. Maestoso (0:00)
2. Valse 1. (1:25)
3. Valse 2. (2:53)
4. Valse 3. (4:01)
5. Valse 4. (5:15)
6. Valse 5. (6:25)
7. Coda (7:35)

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christian Pollack

The title “Actionen” (meaning “legal process” or “measures”) was chosen to reflect the event’s theme Vimeo. At the time, Strauss was 38 years old and already seriously ill, but he still conducted the piece at the carnival festivities that year. Shortly after, he suffered a complete breakdown, which forced him to take a holiday in the summer of 1865 Vimeo.

The work is considered one of his best waltzes, with the third movement (3A) being especially noted for its creativity and musical depth