Man lebt nur einmal!

Man lebt nur einmal! ('You Only Live Once!) is a waltz by Johann Strauss II written in 1855. The piece was marked as "im Ländlerstyle" which in other words means "in the same style as the landler", which is an Austrian folk dance. The title was a quotation from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, but it raised a few eyebrows at that time as Vienna was just recovering from a disastrous cholera epidemic and many of the stricken populace may have been superstitious of such a title. Nonetheless, Strauss performed it at the 'Sperl' Ballroom to great acclaim and this waltz has endured lasting appeal even in a simple string arrangement for a quintet consisting of two violins, one viola, one cello and double bass.

The Introduction is a rustic Austrian countryside evocation, with flutes announcing the first bars. The first waltz section is undoubtedly Viennese in character however, with a similar mood second part of the first section. The sections 2 to 4 are genial and unsurprisingly cheerful whereas the 5th section is an excellent landler adaptation. The coda is short with the first waltz theme making a quiet re-entry. As the waltz proceeds to its close, a short snatch from the Introduction melody comes in again before its anticipated ending.

References

Based on original text by Peter Kemp, The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain. Used with permission.