"The Leading Violinists". Since the days of the dance violinist Michael Pamer, and even more during the youthful years of the conductor Josef Lanner and of his friend and rival the elder Johann Strauss, it was customary for the orchestra leader to appear at the head of his musicians with violin in hand. Lanner and Strauss had already adopted this tradition from their predecessors. In 1853, when Josef Strauss, much to his surprise and against his will, was force to take charge of the orchestra in order to substitute for his brother Johann, which had fallen ill, he did not know how to play the violin. He was embarrassed that he had to lead the musicians with his baton. Once it became obvious that he would have to conduct the orchestra not only temporarily, at first alternating with Johann, but also permanently, he took up the violin with enthusiasm. After three years he was ready. On 23rd April 1856, Josef appeared, violin in hand, before the audience of the Strauss orchestra at the Großer Zeisig in the vicinity of the Spittelberg. It was in this intimate setting that he performed for the first time the waltz "Die Vorgeiger", composed especially for the occasion, with great success. From that moment on, "pepi" was a true viennese conductor.
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Painting: The Violinist at the Window
Artist: Otto Scholderer
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice
Michael Dittrich
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