Leitartikel
Encyclopedia
Leitartikel op. 273 is a waltz
composed by Johann Strauss II
in 1863 and first performed at the Vienna's Artists and Journalists' Association ball called 'Concordia' which glorifies the Roman goddess of civic harmony on 19 January 1863. Theoretically, this work would have been Strauss' only contribution towards the festivity of Vienna
's Fasching of that year as his health did not permit laborious hours of conducting nor of composing.
Regardless, the work, (which is the first of his many dance pieces to bear his august title of KK Hofballmusikdirektor) brims with enthusiasm which was rarely heard in many of his later waltzes which are more plaintive and reflective in nature. A tense Introduction slowly gives way to a more light-hearted opening 1st waltz section. The 2nd waltz section is less joyful although the cheekiness is not absent. A more robust 3rd section is punctuated by loud chords whereas the graceful 4th section contains some of Strauss' more lyrical melodies. The effervescent 5th waltz section carries on the irresistible genial character of the waltz while the coda
recalls earlier material. A loud passage brings in the familiar 1st waltz theme again before the waltz rushes headlong into its brilliant and exciting close.
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
composed by Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II , also known as Johann Baptist Strauss or Johann Strauss, Jr., the Younger, or the Son , was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas...
in 1863 and first performed at the Vienna's Artists and Journalists' Association ball called 'Concordia' which glorifies the Roman goddess of civic harmony on 19 January 1863. Theoretically, this work would have been Strauss' only contribution towards the festivity of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
's Fasching of that year as his health did not permit laborious hours of conducting nor of composing.
Regardless, the work, (which is the first of his many dance pieces to bear his august title of KK Hofballmusikdirektor) brims with enthusiasm which was rarely heard in many of his later waltzes which are more plaintive and reflective in nature. A tense Introduction slowly gives way to a more light-hearted opening 1st waltz section. The 2nd waltz section is less joyful although the cheekiness is not absent. A more robust 3rd section is punctuated by loud chords whereas the graceful 4th section contains some of Strauss' more lyrical melodies. The effervescent 5th waltz section carries on the irresistible genial character of the waltz while the coda
Coda (music)
Coda is a term used in music in a number of different senses, primarily to designate a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence...
recalls earlier material. A loud passage brings in the familiar 1st waltz theme again before the waltz rushes headlong into its brilliant and exciting close.