The Blue Danube

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The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314 (German for "By the Beautiful Blue Danube"), a waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866. Originally performed in February, 1867^[1][2] at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association),^[2] it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire. Its initial performance was considered only a mild success,^[1] however, and Strauss is reputed to have said, "The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda—I wish that had been a success!"^[2]

After the original music was written, the words were added by the Choral Association's poet, Joseph Weyl.^[1][3] Strauss later added more music, and Weyl needed to change some of the words.^[4] Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World's Fair, and it became a great success in this form.^[1] The instrumental version is by far the most commonly performed today. An alternate text was written by Franz von Gernerth, "Donau so blau" (Danube so blue). "The Blue Danube" premiered in the United States in its instrumental version on 1 July 1867 in New York, and in Great Britain in its choral version on 21 September 1867 in London at the promenade concerts at Covent Garden.

When Strauss's stepdaughter, Alice von Meyszner-Strauss, asked the composer Johannes Brahms to sign her autograph-fan, he wrote down the first bars of The Blue Danube, but adding "Leider nicht von Johannes Brahms" ("Alas! not by Johannes Brahms").^[2][5]

	The Blue Danube Excerpt (2:58). Courtesy of Musopen
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Composition notes

The work commences with an extended introduction in the key of A major with shimmering (tremolo) violins and a horn spelling out the familiar waltz theme, answered by staccato wind chords, in a subdued mood. It rises briefly into a loud passage but quickly dies down into the same restful nature of the opening bars. A contrasting and quick phrase in D major anticipates the waltz before three quiet downward-moving bass notes "usher in" the first principal waltz melody.

The first waltz theme is familiar gently rising triad motif in cellos and horns in the tonic D major, accompanied by the harp; the Viennese waltz beat is accentuated at the end of each 3-note phrase. The Waltz 1A triumphantly ends its rounds of the motif, and waltz 1B follows in the same key; the genial mood is still apparent.

Waltz 2A glides in quietly (still in D major) before a short contrasting middle section in B-flat major. The entire section is repeated.

A more dour waltz 3A is introduced in G major before a fleeting eighth-note melodic phrase (waltz 3B). A loud Intrada (introduction) is then played. Waltz 4A starts off in a romantic mood (F major) before a more joyous waltz 4B in the same key.

After another short Intrada in A, cadencing in F-sharp minor, sonorous clarinets spell out the poignant melody of waltz 5A in A. Waltz 5B is the climax, punctuated by cymbal crashes. Each of these may be repeated at the discretion of the performer.

The coda recalls earlier sections (3A and 2A) before furious chords usher in a recap of the romantic Waltz 4A. The idyll is cut short as the waltz hurries back to the famous waltz theme 1A again. This statement is cut short, however, by the final codetta: a variation of 1A is presented, connecting to a rushing eighth-note passage in the final few bars: repeated tonic chords underlined by a snare drum roll and a bright-sounding flourish.

A typical performance lasts around 10 minutes, with the seven-minute main piece, followed by a three-minute coda.

Instrumentation

The Blue Danube is scored for the following orchestra:

Woodwinds 2 Flutes (Fl. 2 doubling Piccolo) 2 Oboes 2 Clarinets in C 2 Bassoons Brass 4 Horns in F 2 Trumpets in F Bass trombone Tuba

Percussion Timpani Bass drum Triangle Snare drum Strings Harp Violins I, II Violas Violoncellos Double Basses

The first few bars of The Blue Danube waltz, signed by the composer

Choral version

The Beautiful Blue Danube was first written as a song for a carnival choir (for bass and tenor), with rather satirical lyrics (Austria having just lost the war with Prussia).^[1] The original title was also referring to a poem about the Danube in the poet Karl Isidor Beck's hometown, Baja in Hungary, and not in Vienna. Later Franz von Gernerth wrote new, more "official-sounding" lyrics:^[6]

Donau so blau, so schön und blau, durch Tal und Au wogst ruhig du hin, dich grüßt unser Wien, dein silbernes Band knüpft Land an Land, und fröhliche Herzen schlagen an deinem schönen Strand. Weit vom Schwarzwald her eilst du hin zum Meer, spendest Segen allerwegen, ostwärts geht dein Lauf, nimmst viel Brüder auf: Bild der Einigkeit für alle Zeit! Alte Burgen seh'n nieder von den Höh'n, grüssen gerne dich von ferne und der Berge Kranz, hell vom Morgenglanz, spiegelt sich in deiner Wellen Tanz. Die Nixen auf dem Grund, die geben's flüsternd kund, was Alles du erschaut, seit dem über dir der Himmel blaut. Drum schon in alter Zeit ward dir manch' Lied geweiht; und mit dem hellsten Klang preist immer auf's Neu' dich unser Sang. Halt' an deine Fluten bei Wien, es liebt dich ja so sehr! Du findest, wohin du magst zieh'n, ein zweites Wien nicht mehr! Hier quillt aus voller Brust der Zauber heit'rer Lust, und treuer, deutscher Sinn streut aus seine Saat von hier weithin. Du kennst wohl gut deinen Bruder, den Rhein,— an seinen Ufern wächst herrlicher Wein, dort auch steht bei Tag und bei Nacht die feste treue Wacht. Doch neid' ihm nicht jene himmlische Gab', bei dir auch strömt reicher Segen herab, und es schützt die tapfere Hand auch unser Heimatland! D'rum laßt uns einig sein, schliesst Brüder, fest den Reih'n, froh auch in trüber Zeit, Mut, wenn Gefahr uns dräut, Heimat am Donaustrand, bist uns'rer Herzen Band, dir sei für alle Zeit Gut und Blut geweiht! Das Schifflein fährt auf den Wellen so sacht, still ist die Nacht, die Liebe nur wacht, der Schiffer flüstert der Liebsten ins Ohr, daß längst schon sein Herz sie erkor. O Himmel, sei gnädig dem liebenden Paar, schutz' vor Gefahr es immerdar! Nun fahren dahin sie in seliger Ruh', O Schifflein, far' immer nur zu! Junges Blut, frischer Muth, o wie glücklich macht, dem vereint ihr lacht! Lieb und Lust schwellt die Brust, hat das Größte in der Welt vollbracht. Nun singst ein fröhliches seliges Lied, das wie Jauchzen die Lüfte durchzieht, von den Herzen laut widerklingt und ein festes Band um uns schlingt. Frei und treu in Lied und Tat, bringt ein Hoch der Wienerstadt, die auf's Neu' erstand voller Pracht und die Herzen erobert mit Macht. Und zum Schluß bringt noch einen Gruß uns'rer lieben Donau dem herrlichen Fluß. Was der Tag uns auch bringen mag, Treu' und Einigkeit soll uns schützen zu jeglicher Zeit!

Danube so blue, so bright and blue, through vale and field you flow so calm, our Vienna greets you, your silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores. Far from the Black Forest you hurry to the sea giving your blessing to everything. Eastward you flow, welcoming your brothers, A picture of peace for all time! Old castles looking down from high, greet you smiling from their steep and craggy hilltops, and the mountains' vistas mirror in your dancing waves. The mermaids from the riverbed, whispering as you flow by, are heard by everything under the blue sky above. The noise of your passing is a song from old times and with the brightest sounds your song leads you ever on. Stop your tides at Vienna, it loves you so much! Whenever you might look you will find nowhere like Vienna! Here pours a full chest the charms of happy wishes, and heartfelt German wishes are flown away on your waters. You know very well your brother, the Rhine, on its banks grows a magnificent wine, there is also, day and night, the fixed and faithful watch. But envy him not those heavenly gifts by you, too, many blessings stream down and the brave hand protects our homeland! Therefore let us be united, joined brothers, in strong ranks, happy in troubled times; Brave, when danger threatens us, Home on the Danube beach, are the hearts of our band, To thee for all time Good and blood are consecrated! The boat travels on the waves so softly, still is the night, love watching only the sailor whispers in the lover's ear, that his heart long ago she owned. O Heaven, have mercy on the loving couple, protect them from danger there forever! Now they pass on in blissful repose, Boat, sail always on! Young blood fresh courage, O how happy, it unites laughter! Love and passion fills the breast – it's the greatest in the world. Now sing a cheerful and blessed song, the jubilation as the air permeates echoed loudly by the heart and tie a band around us. Free and faithful in song and deed, Bring a height to Vienna city bought it on the new full glory and conquered with force. And in conclusion brings even a greeting to our love of the beautiful Danube River. Whatever the day may bring us, Loyalty and unity is to protect us all the time!

In popular culture

The specifically Viennese sentiment associated with Strauss's melody has made it an unofficial Austrian national anthem.^[7] The waltz is traditionally broadcast by all public-law television and radio stations exactly at midnight on New Year's Eve, and on New Year's Day it is a customary encore piece at the annual Vienna New Year's Concert. The first few bars are the interval signal of Österreichischer Rundfunk's international programs.

The piece was prominently used in the Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The waltz is heard as a space plane approaches and docks with a space station, and then again while another spacecraft travels from the station to the Moon. It is also heard over the film's closing credits.^[2]

It was also featured in two Looney Tunes short films, A Corny Concerto, directed by Bob Clampett in 1943, and High Note, directed by Chuck Jones in 1960. The latter was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 33rd Academy Awards in 1961.

References

Notes

1. "The Story Behind The Blue Danube". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
2. "The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
3. Palmer, Alan (1997). Twilight of the Habsburgs: The Life and Times of Emperor Francis Joseph. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-87113-665-1.
4. Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra: program notes
5. Geiringer, Karl (2007). Brahms: His Life and Work. New York: Geiringer Press. p. 151. ISBN 1-4067-5582-6.
6. "Donau so blau" on YouTube, Fischer-Chöre
7. Link to Der Donauwalzer; op. 314 in: Austria-Forum, the Austrian knowledge network – online (music lexicon)

Sources

• Lloyd, Norman, The Golden Encyclopedia of Music, New York: Golden Press, a division of Western Publishing, Inc., 1968.
• Jeroen H.C. Tempelman, "By the Beautiful Blue Danube in New York", Vienna Music, no. 101 (Winter 2012), pp. 28–31

External links

Media related to The Blue Danube at Wikimedia Commons

• The Blue Danube: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Sheet music for "On the Beautiful Blue Danube", John Church Company, 1868.