Verliebte Augen, Polka française, Op. 185 - Josef Strauss

"Eyes in Love". Josef Strauss composed this graceful Polka in the summer of 1865. For the original performance of the work, he chose a festive setting: the much-visited summer festival of the Vienna Men's Choral Society on 17th July 1865, in the Neue Welt. Josef Strauss had to step in for his brother Johann (which had been invited and excused himself citing his poor health) and present a new work at the choral evening, selecting the delicate polka "Verliebte Augen". According to newspapers' reports on the evening, the Polka was highly acclaimed and had to be repeated. Thus in its very first performance, in an open-air concert, this small, delicate pola filled an audience of 5000 persons with enthusiasm. Success accompanied the work later as well; it constantly held its ground in Strauss concert programmes.

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Painting: The Proposal
Artist: Frédéric Soulacroix

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Ernst Märzendorfer