The “Waltz King”, Johann Strauss Jr., would celebrate his 200th birthday in 2025. Born on October 25, 1825, in Vienna, Strauss became world-famous for his compositions that shaped the popular music of the 19th-century, particularly the waltz. Among his most celebrated works are The Blue Danube Waltz, the Tales from the Vienna Woods and the Emperor Waltz, all of which continue to be iconic pieces in the classical music world.
To explore more about Strauss’s life and lasting legacy, visit Johann Strauss II – the King of the Waltz. You can discover details about the special 2025 celebrations in Vienna at Home – Johann Strauss 2025 Wien.
An insightful article produced by Vanity Fair in cooperation with Austria Tourism delves into Strauss’s life and his U.S. tour in 1872. You can read the full story here: Straussmania in Austria | Vanity Fair. For a deeper insight into the Strauss family legacy, listen to a podcast featuring Dr. Eduard Strauss, the great-great-nephew of Johann Strauss Jr., as he speaks about the enduring influence of Johann Strauss and the lasting impact of the waltz. Listen to the podcast here.
In celebration of the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss Jr., the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington DC will host a concert by the “Johann Strauss Quartett” in October 2025. The “EU Open House Day” on May 10, 2025, will also be dedicated to Johann Strauss. Additionally, other concerts organized by the Cultural Forum, such as Springtime by Johanna Falkinger and Daniela Dawn Fitzek on April 17, will feature famous pieces by Strauss.
The Austrian Cultural Forum New York is also celebrating the anniversary with several concerts, including a jazz performance by the Compcord Ensemble, The Waltz Project, on March 13, Springtime by Johanna Falkinger and Daniela Dawn Fitzek on April 16, a song recital by Verena Tranker on September 30, and a concert by the “Johann Strauss Quartett” on October 21.
Austria Tourism will organize a public Wien Tourismus event on May 31 in New York City, focusing on Strauss.
Title image: Johann Strauss Memorial, Vienna, © Österreich Werbung, Fotograf: Sebastian Burziwal