Strauss II, Johann. (1825–1899)
Strauss' Centennial Waltzes (Saecularfest Walzer) - Original Sheet Music
Boston: W. H. Cundy. 1874 [1876?]. Original sheet music to a set of four short waltzes, apparently by the important Austrian composer (although his authorship has been called into doubt) and "respectfully dedicated to the citizens of the United States on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence." Piano reduction. No. 9 of the series "Choice Gleanings by Eminent Composers." Engraved throughout. [PN] 108. 7 pp. Unbound, as issued, with original wrappers. Toning and some light edge wear; overall fine.Peter Kemp of the Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain details the history of this work in the notes to the Marco Polo recording of Strauss' works, vol. 51. Curiously, although the waltzes are dedicated to the American people on the centennial of American Independence, the publication was registered with the Library of Congress in 1874. The author is listed only as "Strauss," and no records from Vienna corroborate its authorship; the work was unknown to Strauss scholars until 1969, when a copy of the present publication was "unearthed" at the Boston Public Library: "The work, apparently comprising original themes by Vienna's Waltz King, proved unknown to present-day Strauss scholars and caused a great deal of interest worldwide." (15848)
Printed Music Classical Music