- Wein, Weib und Gesang
" Wein, Weib und Gesang " ("Wine, Women and Song") op. 333 is a
waltz byJohann Strauss II . It is a choral waltz in its original form, [cite web |url=http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/subscriber/article/grove/music/52380pg2?q=wein+weib+und+gesang&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit |title=Strauss (2) Johann Strauss (ii) in Oxford Music Online |accessdate=2008-10-03 |publisher=Oxford Music Online] although it is seldom heard in this version today. It was commissioned for the Vienna Men's Choral Association's so-called Fools' Evening on 2 February 1869 with a dedication to the Association's honorary chorus-masterJohann Herbeck . Its fanciful title was drawn from an oldadage : "Who loves notwine, women and song remains a fool his whole life long." [cite book |title=Johann Strauss: The End of an Era |authorlink=Egon Gartenberg |year=1974 |publisher=The Pennsylvania State University Press |pages=page 242]Strauss' works at this age displays the Waltz King at the height of his creative powers, and it was no less evident in this waltz with its 137-bar introduction, combining tranquil melodies with superb orchestration. Its admirers include the famous
opera composerRichard Wagner and Strauss' good friendJohannes Brahms .The waltz's primary home key is in E-flat major, with its Introduction interpolating with B-flat major as well as B major. The first waltz melody, with its tapping quality is quintessentially Viennese in nature. Further waltz themes alternate between lush passion and good-humored cheekiness, ending with a swirling finish in the principal home key underlined by a brass fanfare and snare drumroll, as is the usual style of concluding a piece in Strauss' works dating around that period.
Besides being a waltz, it also a German expression indicating the having of fun.
References
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