Only half a year after its foundation the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna presented its first concert. It immediately became a major event, broadcast by Radio Vienna to 200 countries throughout Europe and overseas. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the world premiere of The Blue Danube waltz, a concert featuring exclusively works by Johann Strauss was presented on the eve of this anniversary, on 14th February 1937, in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra performed under the musical direction of the first president of our Society, Music Director Felix Weingartner. As international star conductor, two-time director of the Vienna State Opera ( 1908 – 1911 and 1935 – 1936 ) as well as director of the Vienna Volksoper ( 1919 – 1024 ) he had already earned great merits for his dedication to the music of Johann Strauss. Among his achievements was the first  performance of the posthumous ballet Cinderella ( Aschenbrödel) at the  Vienna Court Opera in 1918, as well as the inclusion  of The Gypsy Baron ( Der Zigeunerbaron) in that institution’s repertoire  in 1910.

The number of participants involved in this inaugural concert of the Johann Strauss Society was truly impressive, as two choirs were also engaged: the Vienna State Opera Chorus under the direction of Ferdinand Grossmann and the Vienna Men’s Singing Society conducted by Georg Gruber. In addition, the vocal soloists included Desi Halban-Kurz, Richard Sallaba, and ,above all, Hilde Konetzni. The Vienna-born soprano was a favourite of the Viennese opera audience and celebrated triumphs for many years in the youthful dramatic repertoire, most notably as the Marschallin in Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. Finally, even a Burgtheater actor was engaged for the festive occasion – Paul von Pranger, who delivered a prologue.

The concert proved to be a great artistic success. It not only drew international attention to the newly established  Johann Strauss Society of Vienna, but also – according to a statement issued by the Society shortly thereafter – constituted a „ powerful promotion campaign for Viennese and Austrian culture that resonated far beyond Austria’s borders“. It became a model and guiding principle for the Society’s further development

(Our cover photo shows the entrance to the building of the „ Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde“ in Vienna, whose Golden Hall (later made world-famous by the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concerts) was the venue of the very first concert of the Johann Strauss Society.)

 

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