From the Danube Waltz to the Fledermaus: The famous melodies of Johann Strauss II are known all over the world. The “Johann Strauss: Top Hits” playlist makes the perfect companion for a visit to Vienna. No other music represents this city like that of the Waltz King. 

Strauss' world hits

You are probably familiar with many works by Johann Strauss II – and if not, you should definitely take the chance to discover them.

Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra

The Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra recorded all the works in these playlists. It is one of the most faithful ensembles for the interpretation of Strauss music and performs with 42 musicians – exactly as the composer intended. The repertoire is extensive: Almost 1,000 pieces and a total of around 190 recordings have been produced over the past decades. The orchestra tours all over the world. And in doing so is following in the footsteps of the legendary Strauss band, whose tours took them all over Europe and even to North America in their day.

What’s more: during the first Canadian-American tour of the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra, which was newly founded in 1966, Eduard Strauss II – the grandson of Eduard Strauss I (1835 - 1916; who was in turn the brother of the superstar Johann Strauss II, known as the “Waltz King”) – became the first conductor to take the podium. Eduard Strauss II conducted the orchestra until his untimely death in 1969.

Insider tips and lesser-known pieces

Granted, not all of the more than 500 works written by Johann Strauss II became world famous. Nevertheless, they are worth a listen. Here is a selection of those compositions that are unjustly not as well known.

Music by Sträussen and Co.

Johann Strauss II was not the only one to succeed in composing. His whole family was very musical. Johann Strauss I was the first Waltz King before his son of the same name overtook him. And although both brothers Josef and Eduard stood in the shadow of the better-known Johann, they also wrote some catchy tunes. The compositions of the Strauss dynasty's companions and rivals, including Joseph Lanner, Carl Michael Ziehrer, Karl Millöcker and Franz Lehár, should also not be forgotten.