The polka mazurka Euterpe by Josef Strauss was created during the first half of the Carnival season of 1860 and was first performed under its composer during the artists’ ball held on 22nd January at Sperl’s. The name of the work was mentioned for the first time, however, in the announcements of the charity ball of the brothers Johann and Josef Strauss, which took place on 13th February 1860 in the Sofiensaal. The motto of this ball was: "Carnival perpetuum mobile — Non-stop Dancing". Each conductor directed his own orchestra, which played alternately and offered the dancers a programme of approximately fifty dances. The title of the work, derived from the name of the Greek goddess of lyric poetry and music, especially flute playing, reminds us of the fact that in January 1860, an orchestra of the "Euterpe" artists’ association had presented itself to the public. The musicians under the conductor Franz von Suppé’s baton had offered a sophisticated programme in the old Zeughaus am Hof, but critical reports were so negative that further performances obviously did not take place. The polka mazurka Euterpe was received more favourably: the work was constantly featured in the programmes during the following months. It was performed by the Strauss orchestra at the balls and the Carnival revue in the Volksgarten, as well as at concerts, until the summer, after which it disappeared into the archives.
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Painting: Euterpe The Muse Of Music And Lyric Poetry
Artist: Simon Vouet
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Michael Dittrich
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