HISTORY
2026: Foundation
When the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2026, it was able for the first time in its history to look back on three decades of uninterrupted artistic activity. Owing to the foundation of its own Classical Operetta Ensemble Vienna in 1996, the Society managed to present concerts and even complete operetta productions on a regular basis. In order to offer its audiences an even broader range of in-house productions performed in an authentic style, the Johann Strauss Society established a second ensemble in 2023: the Johann Strauss JSG Konzertschrammeln Vienna.
In its jubilee year 2026 the Society decided to expand its artistic activities by adding a third ensemble to these two already highly successful groups. As the year 2026 also marked the 225th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Lanner, the “Father of the Viennese Waltz”, whose career as a concertmaster began in chamber ensembles, a string quartet in the traditional classical formation was founded (two violins, one viola, one violoncello) . The ensemble was named Hofballmusik-Quartett JSG Vienna in homage to the roles played by Joseph Lanner and the Strauss family at the imperial court balls in Vienna. The quartet gave its inaugural concert on 18th April 2026 in the event spaces of Vienna City Hall. On the programme were exclusively works by Joseph Lanner.
Peter Widholz guided the audience through the programme, which he had compiled himself, and contributed some vocal performances. Among the large audience were distinguished guests who had travelled from abroad especially for the concert, lending the event additional significance. One of them was Anne Lanner Sadolin, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Lanner, who had come all the way from her home country Denmark together with six other members of her family specifically for this performance. She was full of praise for everyone involved (see also our article in the “Highlights” section “2026: Homage to Joseph Lanner”)
Praise and recognition for the Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG Vienna was not only shown by the audience, but also by the critics. Shortly afterwards, Der Neue Merker reviewed the inaugural concert as follows:
Peter Widholz and the newly founded Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG Vienna treated the large audience to a selection of “musical delicacies” by Joseph Lanner (1801 -1843 ). Once again, the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna lived up to its guiding principle – borrowed from Johann Wolfgang Goethe – to “entertain, enlighten, and elevate”.
Peter Widholz captivated the audience with his highly knowledgeable, informative, and witty commentary, offering fascinating insights into Joseph Lanner’s life and remarkable compositional output during his short lifetime – he died at the age of only 42. He also delighted listeners with songs and charming couplets by the celebrated composer. The Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG Vienna – Regine Koch (first violin), Judith Schwaighofer (second violin), Herbert Suchy (viola), and Harald Herzig (violoncello) – opened the spirited afternoon concert with the “Amazonengalopp” (Amazon Gallopp), Op.148b, followed by the waltz “Abendsterne” (Evening Star Waltz) op.180.
Peter Widholz delivered a real” tour de force” with “Es kommt nichts Besseres nach”(Nothing beats this), the socially critical couplet sung by Christoph in the fairy-tale play Der Preis einer Lebensstunde (The Price of an Hour of Life). Blending contemporary issues and present-day concerns into a brilliant and humorous performance, he impressed with sharply pointed lyrics and a finely controlled tenor voice. The Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG once again won over the audience with “ Cerrito Polka”, Op.189, and “Steirische Tänze”(Styrian Dances),op.165, performed with vitality, virtuosity and remarkable ensemble cohesion. Peter Widholz captivated the audience with the song “Schwalberl,mein Alles, mein Schatz” (My little swallow, my everything, my darling) from the operetta “Alt-Wien”, based on music by Joseph Lanner. His performance was distinguished by its crystal-clear diction, expressive and flexible voice, and finely nuanced theatrical subtlety. The sparkling “Malapou Galopp”, Op.148a, brilliantly performed by the Hofballmusik-Quartett JSG Vienna, brought the first part of the magnificent Joseph Lanner Birthday Concert to a close.
Peter Widholz opened the second part of the concert in equally impressive fashion with the song “Nachts, dort in der Ferne” (At Night, There in the Distance) from the operetta Alt-Wien, again based on music by Joseph Lanner. With sensitive empathy and remarkable authenticity, he delivered the deeply moving operetta song. The Hofballmusik-Quartett JSG Vienna also delighted the audience with “Die Werber”( The Suitors), Waltz, Op.103. Exceptionally authentic and down-to-earth, with a skilfully humorous touch, Peter Widholz performed “Oh, das is guat”, a song by Mathias Schmid set to the first two melodies of Joseph Lanner’s “Neue Wiener Ländler”, Op.1.
The Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG Vienna impressed once again with “Ungarischer Nationaltanz” (Hungarian National Dance), Op.168, and the “Tadolini Galopp”, a work without opus number. Peter Widholz further demonstrated his artistry with Christoph’s punctuation song from the fairy-tale play Der Preis einer Lebensstunde (The Price of an Hour of Life), once again shining brilliantly in this magnificent birthday concert . To conclude the evening, the Hofballmusik- Quartett JSG Vienna delivered a stirring performance of “Die Schönbrunner“ Waltz Op.200. After enthusiastic applause, Peter Widholz crowned this exceptional concert with the song “Mein Verwandter… sehr bekannter Mann von Jahren” (My relative.. a very well-known gentleman of years) (Lanner in Olympus), based on his Schönbrunner Waltzes. A truly high-caliber “Homage to Joseph Lanner”, through which the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna once again demonstrated its outstanding excellence, quality, and expertise.
