Book : La Valse Viennoise, au temps des Strauss

Livre- La Valse Viennoise, au temps des Strauss
Author : Claude Dufresne 
Score: 8/10
Year:  1996
France Loisirs. ISBN : 2-7441-0188-5
91 pages 
Language : French

I do not even know if I had bought this book or if it had been offered to me ... it is certain that it remained on the shelves for many years (since 1996!), waiting to be read while I devoted myself to many other books and almost forgotten it ...
I recently decided it was high time to immerse myself and I must say it pleased me greatly. 

This book traces the evolution of the Viennese waltz and places it in its historical context in the early nineteenth century during the succession of wars in Europe (Napoleon ...)

The author dates back the possible sources of this new dance, which develops and breaks manners settled for centuries by propagating a dance where couples embrace, against social taboos of this period.

The waltz was in its infancy a popular dance performed 3 movements and without an organized composition - everything was in improvisation ; as is became more organized and composed by new young prodigies who revolutionized the style and added to it through their inspirations, new musical forms and new air to breathe...

The book is cleverly divided into 5 chapters of equal length, as each of the five component parts.
It is richly illustrated and supplemented by historical pictures and comparisons citing other composers in ''great music'' while the waltz was being born and raised with the arrival of new composers ...

The CD accompanying the book was in a small pocket on the front cover - which turns out a bad choice, because once the cd removed, the form that held him - a drawing of a dancer - deforms to wear and tear. 

In the first chapter, we learn the advent of Johann Strauss (father, aka the first ), his self-taught course and a little chaotic at first to reach a composition increasingly controlled through his creative frenzy.

Around him, his mentors, as the quartet formation with friends: the Drahanek brothers and Lanner.

The second chapter explores later life periods and decline of the reign of Johann Strauss I, his loves, and its decline with the rise of musical succession by his own son, also named Johann.

Then in the third, the road to the glory of Johann II, a parallel rise in the decline and death of his father - at the age of 45 years- before the two men could reconcile.

In tribute to his father, Johann II will program a concert using only the works of his father.
The chapter follows the musical evolution of Johann II, its success abroad, as well as dating and his first wedding. It ends with the composition of the great masterpiece by Johann II: The beautiful Blue Danube.

I love the title of the fourth chapter '' lights and shadows '' where Johann II expands his musical repertoire by adding operettas, negotiating a huge pay before accepting an invitation by the city of Boston while still hating to travel and where he will be received like a rockstar ; and contrasting with this success, this chapter also tells the tragic end of his first marriage following an experience worthy of soap operas ... and his subsequent meeting with his second wife.

''The twilight of the King'', title of the last chapter following the end of life with his second wife, the meeting with the third who will transform him and offer a better end of life, happier than other previous periods. 

The rapid conclusion of a page tells us of ''the after Johann Strauss II'' and how it may well be that his repertoire of 500 works was even bigger but we'll never know since his jealous and embittered brother got rid of many personal papers of the king of the waltz ...

Nevertheless, its impact still lasts today, and rightly so because Johann II revolutionized and enriches this musical style infusing a sensual inspiration and joy of life despite his many painful experiences and mood swings...

I learned many things through this book, relatively small; the first being that THE Strauss which everyone has heard of,  composer of the Blue Danube was actually the second of this name, and he was son of the first of Johann Strauss who started this musical revival in Vienna.

The chapters follow a part of their creations, their friendships and loves, including extramarital affairs, and sometimes comical events, whilst other times tragic which seem a plot taken straight from a modern soap opera...

This very pleasant book is quick to read and very well divided into equal portions; it puts composers in their social and political context in order to better understand some paths and focuses on key moments in their lives.

Finally, I liked the fluid style of its narrative composition, and rich illustrations and tables accompanying the biopgraphies.