The polka mazurka Amanda was probably created in the early summer of the year 1859. Its première may have taken place during one of the numerous concerts which Josef Strauss managed to give at Hietzing, Hernals, and the Prater, despite the unfavourable political climate. The situation at the time was very difficult for Viennese conductors, because the population, upon hearing the reports about the defeats and heavy losses suffered by the Austrian troops in Upper Italy, showed little interest in theatre performances and concerts. This minor work is not mentioned in Josef’s notes at all. It appears only in the advertisement for the Hernals church festival, celebrated on 29th August 1859 in Unger’s Casino, which states that Josef Strauss would "perform Waldbleamln (Op.79), the waltz written expressly for the ball of the church festival, in addition to his newest compositions", among which was the polka mazurka Amanda. This hint gives evidence to the hypothesis that the polka mazurka Amanda dates from the early summer of 1859. The name ‘Amanda’ was known to Viennese theatre aficionados from the popular works by Johann Nestroy. In his original magic play, Der konfuse Zauberer oder Treue und Flatterhaftigkeit (from 1832), Amanda appears onstage as the niece of Fidelity. Nevertheless, Amanda (the beloved one) was not among the popular, commonplace women’s names of the times.
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Painting: Scene from Der konfuse Zauberer
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Christian Pollack
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