The first major event of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna after the Second World War

 

At the end of April 1945, Austria had re-emerged after its liberation from the dictatorship of National Socialism. Barely more than a year later, our Society was re-founded, after having suspended its activities during the Nazi era. In a country devastated by war and occupied by the four Allied powers, however, it took the Strauss Society some time to be able to organize artistic productions. On 9th October 1948, the first major and representative event finally took place: as after its first foundation, the Society once again organized an orchestral concert in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra performed under the direction of Rudolf Moralt, then Chief Conductor of the Vienna State Opera. And just as the society‘s very first concert in 1937, this performance was broadcast by several radio stations.

The programme consisted exclusively of compositions by Johann Strauss the Younger. Alongside well-known popular works, rarely performed pieces by the waltz king were also included. Thus, immediately after its re-establishment, the Society fulfilled one of its principal aims: to preserve and promote the entire oeuvre of Johann Strauss – not only the famous classics, but also unjustly neglected works.

Despite economically strained times, around 1500 visitors attended the event, including numerous political dignitaries: the  Mayor of Vienna and later President of Austria, Theodor Körner, the Vice Mayor of Vienna and Deputy Chairman of the Austrian Federal Council, Karl Honay; the Federal Ministers for Education, Felix Hurdes, and for Food, Otto Sagmeister, as well as numerous representatives of the Allied occupation forces and the diplomatic corps. All of them were welcomed at the beginning of the concert by Franz Salmhofer, Director of the Vienna State Opera, in his capacity as Honorary President of the Johann Strauss Society.

 

The enormous success of this event was also reflected in the press reviews:

„In the programme of the concert performed by the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Prof. Moralt, the artistic aims of the association , above all the cultivation of the unjustly forgotten valuable heritage of the Strauss dynasty, found pleasing implementation… Moralt conducted the Symphony orchestra with all the temperament at his command, elegantly and with the finest rhythmic sensitivity for the graceful step of the polka, the exuberance of the galop and the gentle swaying of the waltz.“
(Kleines Volksblatt, 12 October 1948)

„The festive Johann Strauss concert in the Great Hall of the Vienna Musikverein was, as State Opera Director Salmhofer explained in his welcoming address, intended to provide an evening of genuine joy in times of anxiety. And it was a great success. Sparkling rhythm, melodious harmony and the rich orchestral sound flourishing abundantly in Johann Strauss’s music created a cheerful mood… The orchestral work „Perpetuum mobile“ and the „Blue Danube“ waltz concluded the excellent concert, which showed the Vienna Symphony orchestra under the direction of Prof. Rudolf Moralt at its artistic peak also in the field of light music.“
(Arbeiterzeitung, 12 October 1948)

„Whoever attended this concert as a keen observer could read in the happy faces of the listeners that the great magician of the waltz still fascinates the hearts and souls not only of the Viennese, infected with the „Strauss bacillus“, but people all over the world. Rudolf Moralt, whose distinctly romantic temperament predestines him for the interpretation of Strauss, swayed in the enchanting sounds… No wonder that he and the splendidly performing symphony orchestra were met with cheers and applause. They were compelled to give encores, and even after the encore of the“Blue Danube“ the ovation seemed to be endless.“
(Wiener Zeitung,12 October 1948)

„The Czardas from Ritter Pásmán, the polkas „On the hunt“ and „Camp Delight“ were not ceremoniously performed but galloped through – and had to be  repeated after orgies of applause.“
(Der Abend, 12 October 1948)

„Then Rudolf Moralt raised his baton and, with elegant sweep, guided the enthusiastic symphony orchestra through the bright and melodious realms of the „Dance Symphony“ by the Viennese waltz king. What a wonderfully liberating and relieving effect these ethereally buoyant, amiable melodies from a carefree age have on our hearts and minds,which have become heavy by emotional upheavals and suffering. May the Johann Strauss Society grant us more such works of art, so that our sorely tested people may soon rediscover the path to its genius, to its innate cheerful and gracious nature!“
(Welt am Abend, 15 October 1948)

 

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