Johann Strauss – Czech Polka, Op. 13, for Wind Quintet
Johann Strauss II was born in Vienna on 25 October 1825 and died there on 3 June 1899. Son of the equally famous waltz composer of the same name, he made his debut in 1844 with his own orchestra – initially against his father's wishes – and went on to become Vienna's most celebrated composer of dance music. With works such as “The Blue Danube” and the operetta “Die Fledermaus”, he achieved worldwide fame and the title “Waltz King”.
Czech Polka, Op. 13
The Czech Polka (Czechen-Polka) was composed in 1845 – just a year after Strauss's debut as an independent conductor – making it one of his earliest published works. It received its first performance on 21 July 1845 in Vienna. Like many of his early dance pieces, Strauss originally scored it for orchestra; the printed edition appeared in 1846 with the Viennese publisher Pietro Mechetti. Here the piece is heard in a charming arrangement for wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon).
