Wiener Bürger (Viennese Citizens) Waltz, Op. 419

Composer: ZIEHRER, Carl Michael
  • Written in 1890
  • One of Ziehrer’s most popular waltzes
  • The piece consists of an introduction, three waltzes, and a coda.
  • As was custom at the time, the composer was almost immediately asked for arrangements of the waltz for smaller ensembles to play around the city.1
  • Viennese Citizens Waltz was regarded as fresh and innovative at its premiere for its use of trumpet-calls marking the appearance and withdrawal of the civil guard.
  • Fun fact – the piece premiered at the same charity ball that the Strauss orchestra was performing. While the Strauss brothers (Johann and Eduard) got to perform first, reviews claim that Ziehrer’s waltz was the highlight of the evening.2

Sources

  1. “Wiener Bürger, Op.419 for Piano Trio or Piano Quintet,” Edition Silvertrust, accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.editionsilvertrust.com/ziehrer-wiener-burger.htm.
  2. John Diamond, Notes in accompanying booklet, ZIEHRER: Selected Dances and Marches, Vol. 1 performed by Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Walter, Marco Polo 8.223814, 1998, compact disc.

Cut IDs

43072 10861