Johann Strauss I: Works

The Radetzky Marsch (March), Opus 228, of Johann Strauss I was composed in 1848 to commemorate the victory of Austrian Field-Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz in the Battle of Custoza (1866) against the Kingdom of Sardinia. Along with the Blue Danube waltz by his son Johann Strauss II, the piece became an unofficial Austrian national anthem, and is always played as the last piece at the New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The theme is used in numerous promotional jingles and at major sport events, in particular at football matches of the Austrian national team. Since 1896, The Radetzky March has been the official presentation march of the Chilean Army's Military School of the Liberator Bernardo O'Higgins. The 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards of the United Kingdom adopted the Radetzky March as its regimental quick march.

Johann Strauss I (1804 - 1849) was an Austrian composer. He was famous for his waltzes, and together with the Austrian composer Joseph Lanner (1801 - 1843), he popularized the waltz, and set the foundations for his sons (Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss) to carry on his musical dynasty. Johann Strauss II often played his father's works and openly declared his admiration of them, although it was no secret to the Viennese that their rivalry was intense.