Johann Strauss (Sohn)

Wine, Women and Song / Vienna Blood Op. 333 / 354

Fittingly, the waltz 'Wine, Women and Song' was performed at Mardi Gras in 1869. The title of the former vocal work which, today - and here as well -, is understood primarily as an instrumental work, goes back to the saying 'Wein, Weib und Gesang, der bleibt dem Narr ein Leben lang' attributed to Martin Luther.Strauß composed 'Wiener Blut' for a ball in support of the Pensions Institute of the Vienna Court Opera which took place on the occasion of the marriage of Archduchess Gisela of Austria to Prince Leopold of Bavaria in April 1873. After the performance it was praised as 'a collection of genuine Viennese tunes, full of melody and electrifying rhythm'.