STRAUSS, Josef – All Classical Research

Born in Vienna, Aug 20, 1827
Died in Vienna, July 22, 1870

Josef Strauss (nicknamed “Pepi”) was a member of the Strauss musical dynasty – the son of Johann Strauss I and the brother of Johann II and Eduard.
- Johann II is noted to have said, “Josef is the more gifted, and I am simply more popular.”
Josef began his career not as a musician (though he had a musical education as a child) but rather as an architect and engineer. He even published two books on mathematical subjects. However, when his older brother, Johann II, became seriously ill in 1853 due to exhaustion, Josef reluctantly took up his brother’s position as conductor of the Strauss Orchestra. His leadership was enthusiastically received by Viennese audiences.
After Johann II returned to the stage, Josef began his music education in earnest and studied violin and composition.
- In the following years, Josef shared direction of the Strauss Orchestra with his brothers until he died in 1870, likely due to complications from congenital brain damage.
As a composer, Josef wrote ~300 original works and over 500 arrangements of music by other composers.
- He was known to some as the “Schubert of the ballroom” due to his poignant melodies and inspired orchestrations.¹

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