Josef is the more talented of us, I am only more popular, was the opinion of Johann
Strauss about his younger brother. For many years Josef found himself in the shadow of the
famous king of waltz Johann Strauss, at first substituting his brother in conducting
concerts, while timidly making his initial forays as a composer.
Today Josef Strauss achievements are indisputable: as a conductor he introduced works of
Liszt and Wagner, as a composer - despite his early death - he wrote more than 300 waltzes
and polkas, which to this day are regularly featured in the renowned New Years Concerts of
the Viennese Philharmonic orchestra.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death, for the first time a catalogue of works
of all his compositions, including details of instrumentation, incipits, information on first
performances and sources (manuscripts and prints) has been made available. The
introductory chapter provides an extensive overview about the life of the composer and
conductor Josef Strauss.