- Wiener Bonbons
" Wiener Bonbons " ("Vienna Sweets") op. 307 is a
waltz byJohann Strauss II written in1866 . It was first performed on28 January 1866 at the ball of the Association of Industrial Societies held in the Redoutensaal and was dedicated to the influentialPrincess Pauline Metternich-Winneburg the wife of thenAustria n ambassador toParis .The festivity was meant to raise funds to be donated to the construction of German hospitals in
Paris and Strauss' younger brother Josef was initially supposed to be conducting music at the ball without his brother Johann's anticipated presence. Johann himself was happy to draw back from conducting at such occasions in addition to allowing Josef to compose a dedication piece for the event although at the last minute, the elder brother opted to contribute a waltz of his own to glorify the event. The result was the waltz 'Wiener Bonbons' combining Viennese waltz withParisian flair. The title also cheekly unites both nationalities via its title and even the title page shows the work's name in twistedbonbon wrappers.The waltz's Introduction starts with
clarinet andpizzicato strings in a relatively tense mood. Shortly, the first waltz theme makes a bold entry, long chords with a strong first beat in 3/4 time. Later sections are cheeky and flamboyant, contrasted in between with gentle and reflective melodies. After a short coda, the first waltz theme reappears before accelerating into its rousing finish, complete with a brass flourish underlined by a snare drumroll.References
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