Johann Strauss the Younger was the son of the composer, namesake Johann Strauss the Elder. His brothers Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss were also composers, but they did not gain such popularity. J. Strauss Junior wrote his first waltz at the age of 6, but his father did not want him to become a musician, but hoped that he would make a career as a bank clerk. As a result, J. Strauss could study music more seriously only from 1842. 1844 founded an orchestra of 24 musicians in September. His waltzes became very popular and he was considered a serious competitor to his father. Johann Strauss the Younger did not reconcile with his father until the latter's death in 1849. After his father's death, he received the post of Hofballmusikdirektor (musical director of palace banquets). He performed with the court orchestra in Paris, Berlin, London, St. Petersburg, where he was a huge success.
Strauss created several polkas and marches, operettas, but he is most famous for his waltzes, which he perfected and popularized so much that he was even nicknamed "the great king of waltzes". His waltz "Blue Danube" became especially popular. His waltzes are endless joy and giddy spinning, passion and dream, lyricism and longing. J. Strauss's waltzes are easy to listen to, very melodic, but also complex, with different tempos and contrasting dynamics with climaxes and ebbs and flows, with many different parts and melodies.
