Johann Strauss jr. - Express Polka, Op. 311 (1866)

Johann Baptist Strauss I (14 March 1804 – 25 September 1849), also known as Johann Strauss Sr., the Elder or the Father (German: Johann Strauß Vater), was an Austrian composer of the Romantic Period. He was famous for his light music, namely waltzes, polkas, and galops, which he popularized alongside Joseph Lanner, thereby setting the foundations for his sons—Johann, Josef and Eduard—to carry on his musical dynasty. He is best known for his composition of the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz).

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Express-Polka, Op. 311 (1866)

Wiener Philharmonker conducted by Christian Thielemann
Live Neujahrskonzert / New Year's Concert 2019

The Express Polka, Op. 311 was composed in 1866 and first performed on 18 November 1866 at the Vienna Volksgarten.
The work was created in the wake of the Austro‑Prussian War of 1866, which ended in a humiliating defeat for the Donaumonarchie (Austro‑Hungarian Empire) against Prussia. The defeat left Vienna in a somber mood, and Strauss, along with his brothers Josef and Eduard, sought to lift spirits with light, cheerful music. The Express Polka was part of a group of three new works — Feenmärchen (op. 312) and Wildfeuer (op. 313) — premiered together that day.