The Blue Danube

Cover

The Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau op. 314 (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), a waltz by Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866. Originally performed 13 February 1867 at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association), it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire. Its initial performance was only a mild success, however, and Strauss is reputed to have said "The devil take the waltz, my only regret is for the coda—I wish that had been a success!"

After the original music was written, the words were added by the Choral Association's poet, Joseph Weyl. Strauss later added more music, and Weyl needed to change some of the words. Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the World's Fair in Paris that same year, and it became a great success in this form. The instrumental version is by far the most commonly performed today. An alternate text by Franz von Gernerth, Donau so blau (Danube so blue), is also used on occasion.

The sentimental Viennese connotations of the piece have made it into a sort of unofficial Austrian national anthem. It is a traditional encore piece at the annual Vienna New Year's Concert. The first few bars are also the interval signal of Osterreich Rundfunk's overseas programs.

It is reported by composer Norman Lloyd in his "Golden Encyclopedia of Music" that when asked by Frau Strauss for an autograph, the composer Johannes Brahms autographed Mrs. Strauss's fan by writing on it the first few bars of the Blue Danube. Under it he wrote "Unfortunately not by Johannes Brahms".

Composition notes

The first few bars of the Blue Danube waltz, signed by the composer.

The work commences with an extended introduction in the key of A major with shimmering (tremolo) violins and a French horn spelling out the familiar waltz theme, answered by staccato wind chords, in a subdued mood. It rises briefly into a loud passage but quickly dies down into the same restful nature of the opening bars. A contrasting and quick phrase in D major anticipates the waltz before 3 quiet downward-moving bass notes "usher in" the first principal waltz melody.

The first waltz theme is familiar gently rising triad motif in cellos and horns in the tonic D major, accompanied by the harp; the Viennese waltz beat is accentuated at the end of each 3-note phrase. The Waltz 1A triumphantly ends its rounds of the motif, and waltz 1B follows in the same key; the genial mood is still apparent.

Waltz 2A glides in quietly (still in D major) before a short contrasting middle section in B flat major. The entire section is repeated.

A more dour waltz 3A is introduced in G major before a fleeting eighth-note melodic phrase (waltz 3B). A loud Intrada (introduction) is then played. Waltz 4A starts off in a romantic mood (F major) before a more joyous waltz 4B in the same key.

After another short Intrada in A, cadencing in F-sharp minor, sonorous clarinets spell out the poignant melody of waltz 5A in A. Waltz 5B is the climax, punctuated by cymbal crashes. Each of these may be repeated at the discretion of the performer.

The coda recalls earlier sections (3A and 2A) before furious chords usher in a recap of the romantic Waltz 4A. The idyll is cut short as the waltz hurries back to the famous waltz theme 1A again. This statement is cut short, however, by the final codetta: a variation of 1A is presented, connecting to a rushing eighth-note passage in the final few bars: repeated tonic chords underlined by a snare drumroll and a bright-sounding flourish.

Instrumentation

The Blue Danube is scored for the following orchestra:

Woodwinds

2 Flutes (Fl. 2 doubling Piccolo)

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets in C

2 Bassoons

Brass

4 Horns in F

2 Trumpets in F

Bass Trombone

Tuba

Percussion

Timpani

Bass Drum

Triangle

Snare Drum

Strings

Harp

Violins I, II

Violas

Violoncellos

Double Basses

Choral version

"The Beautiful Blue Danube" was first written as a song for a carnival's choir (for bass and tenor), with rather satirical lyrics (Austria having just lost the war with Germany). The original title was also referring to a poem about the Danube in the poet Karl Beck's hometown, Baja in Hungary, and not in Vienna. Later Franz von Gernerth wrote new, more "official-sounding" lyrics:

Donau so blau, so schön und blau, durch Tal und Au wogst ruhig du hin, dich grüßt unser Wien, dein silbernes Band. knüpft Land an Land und fröhliche Herzen schlagen an deinem schönen Strand. Weit vom Schwarzwald her eilst du hin zum Meer, spendest Segen allerwegen, Ostwärts geht dein Lauf, nimmst viel Bruder auf: Bild der Einigkeit für alle Zeit! Alte Burgen Seh'n nieder von den Höh'n, grüssen gerne dich von ferne und der Berge Kranz, hell vom Morgen glanz, spiegelt sich in deiner Wellen Tanz. Die Nixen auf dem Grund, die geben's flüsternd kund, was alles du erschaut, seit dem über dir der Himmel blaut. Drum schon in alter Zeit ward dir manch Lied geweiht; und mit dem hellsten Klang preist immer auf's Neu dich unser Sang. Halt an deine Fluten bei Wien, es liebt dich ja so sehr! Du findest, wohin du magst zieh'n, ein zweites Wien nicht mehr! Hier quillt aus voller Brust der Zauber heit'rer Lust, und treuer, deutscher Sinn streut aus seine Saat von hier weithin.

Danube so blue, so bright and blue, through vale and field you flow so calm, our Vienna greets you, you silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores. Far from the Black Forest you hurry to the sea giving your blessing to everything. Eastward you flow, welcoming your brothers, A picture of peace for all time! Old castles looking down from high, greet you smiling from their steep and craggy hilltops, and the mountains' vistas mirror in your dancing waves. The mermaids from the riverbed, whispering as you flow by, are heard by everything under the blue sky above. The noise of your passing is a song from old times and with the brightest sounds your song leads you ever on. Stop your tides at Vienna, it loves you so much! Whenever you might look you will find nowhere like Vienna! Here pours a full chest the charms of happy wishes, and heartfelt German wishes are flown away on your waters.

Use in film

The waltz is used prominently in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey during Heywood Floyd's trip to the space station and the moon. It is also played during the closing credits.

Warner Bros. cartoons occasionally incorporated the waltz, including Frank Tashlin's Cracked Ice, Bob Clampett's A Corny Concerto and Chuck Jones's High Note.