Johann Strauss: American Journey – Book Corner Review

In his private life, Johann Strauss was a withdrawn man who never tried to mix with the crowd. However, he also knew that he was a “brand” and that he had to “sell” himself to his audience. And he did that where needed. In addition to his Viennese fame, his work and, above all, his personal fame were also to be reaped in abundance abroad (as well as large salaries).

Johann Strauss traveled often to Russia (where he was already earning “big money”) with great success; he conquered Berlin, Paris and London, ie major European cities. But he made his “super tour” in 1872 to America, to Boston and New York. The land of “unlimited opportunity” was full of excellence when it came to celebrating the “World Day of Peace” held to commemorate America’s independence.

Well, 2025 is a special Strauss year (you’ll have to get used to writing the family members no longer with “ß” but with “ss” – which used to be a pleasant contrast from Richard Strauss). Hundreds of anniversaries are rare, and 200 years ago, on October 25, 1825, Johann Strauss (later called “son” to distinguish his famous father) was born in Vienna. Strauss’ last year was more than a quarter of a century ago, when the 100th anniversary of his death on June 3, 1899 was celebrated in 1999.

The book market traditionally thrives at times like this, and since biographies are usually told over a long period of time, people turn to specific subjects,

Journalist Bernhard Ecker has so far reported on politicians (Androsch, Fischer, Van der Bellen) and has now landed on Johann Strauss, musician, concert organizer of the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra , which is popular with tourists, along with him. Together, as the book’s appendix shows, they dug extensively (digitally) through American newspapers and together they talk in a relaxed style and with a lot of researched detail about the trip that Johann Strauss across the Atlantic for the first and only time.

Right from the beginning, the super celebrities were moving: Florenz Ziegfeld, who was traveling as an agent to buy the best for the event in Europe, was able to offer interesting fees. Johann Strauss (who arrived without his orchestra) received 20,000 US dollars, which was 40,000 Austrian guilders, half a million euros in today’s purchasing power. They set out to achieve this – and they were willing to work hard for it.

However, the trip there brought little joy to the sensitive, much-feared Johann Strauss. By train to Bremerhaven, by luxury class ship “Rhein” to Hoboken, New Jersey in 15 days. The authors do not forget private issues – which raises the question of who else besides his wife Jetty, the woman who went with Strauss to America. The authors have done research, but in the end we don’t know for sure. However, it is known that he has the “Danube Waltz” in his luggage.

The paddle steamer “Bristol” travels from New York to Boston, and Johann Strauss has long been a household name there; the appeal of her name (and music) preceded him. The media is full of stories that provide pre-propaganda, advertising posters show him on the globe as the ruler of the world.

Huge numbers are gathered: 100,000 visitors in the newly built Coliseum, 20,000 members in the choir, 2,000 musicians in the orchestra. Even if the numbers were exaggerated, there will still be around a thousand musicians that Johann Strauss directs when things get serious. They are local musicians who are committed to working with Strauss. Fans are already gathering at the rehearsals… they are just part of the ongoing hype surrounding him.

The Coliseum, in which the concerts take place, is indeed a new building of superlatives, 168 meters long, 107 meters wide, the walls are more than twelve meters high. This was the largest concert hall in the world, with a capacity of 60,000 people. (The Roman Colosseum held 50,000 visitors…) Strauss runs in the morning and the concerts take place in the afternoon – the first on June 17, 1872. The “Danube Waltz” is also a great success in America. The press hailed Strauss’s appearance as a “musical earthquake”. The fact that he led not only with the stick, but also with a great movement with the bow of his violin, caused the audience to go wild with enthusiasm. The flickering, electronic quality that comes from it also hits the times.

There was, of course, an anti-Strauss camp, but it was small. Interestingly, because of the high fees he charged, he was known as the “nervous little Jew,” even though Strauss’s Jewish ancestors were so far back that people in America could not know on that… Anyway, that’s what it is. clearly he knew something about money There is no doubt about it when you consider that he left a fortune worth around ten million euros after his death according to today’s value.

And it was clear in America: Anyone who found themselves in the media’s clutches was fair game. Among the many stories told was that a black poodle was shaved so that Jetty could present the star’s locks to fans…

Strauss, who – as the authors say – tested his artistic market value in Boston, attended the big ball of the World Peace Festival (for which he composed the “Jubilee Waltz”) and gave concerts in New York (also for unsustainable fees) and he flattered the American woman in an interview, saying that the Boston event was “a very impressive act”. Perhaps it was, and for Johann Strauss it was worth staying for a month in America in every way.

In addition to the facts about the American trip, which are described in color, the authors go back into the psychology of this Johann Strauss, his neuroses, the stories of his women, his family ties , so that it goes beyond the specific purpose of the book, which shows the psychogram of this man, who is one of the few who deserves the term “extraordinary artist” that is often misunderstood used by very few people another.

Renate Wagner, December 1, 2024

John STRAUSS – AMERICAN TOUR
For fame and money across the Atlantic

160 pages, Molden Verlag in the publishing group Styria, 2024