Johann Strauss II: Deutschmeister Jubile

During the Deutschmeister Festivity (September 4-9, 1896) Johann Strauss II was at the Strauss Villa in Bad Ischl, busy finishing his last operetta: Die Göttin der Vernunft which premièred on March 13, 1897. However, Johann II must have read or heard the Neue Freie Presse (10 September)’s critical review that "Bayer's composition (NOT Johann II’s !!!!), a piece of music kept in true Viennese style, went down the best". It is highly likely that this “negative review” prompted Johann II, being hugely disappointed, to “rewrite” the March A for publication (3rd version). This was done in a hasty manner as the printed Piano score of the 3rd version appeared at the end of September. Unfortunately, the manuscript pages of the new March A did not survive. 

Therefore, The Pianist concludes (with 99% confidence) that the 2nd version was used at the 1896 première on September 9, 1896. Further evidence that would support this view is that the parts for military band of the 3rd version was published in August 1897 – a year later ! About 350 military-band members played the March (Op. 470) on the 1896 première. Therefore, many copies of hand-written parts were created. If the 3rd version of Op. 470 were premiered on September 9, 1896, the parts for military band would have been published much sooner - almost at the same time as the publication of the Piano score at the end of September 1896 - as the march was already arranged for military band.

The lesser-known Johann Strauss II’s Deutschmeister Jubiläums Marsch Op. 470, with the Viennese classy atmosphere and the heroic melodies in the Trio, would belong to one of the best Austrian Military Marches, musically equal to or better than the better-known Deutschmeister Regiment Marsch (1893) by Wilhelm August Jurek (1870-1934).

The original EINGANG (Short Introduction) in the 1 st version was discarded by the composer probably because it sounded too pessimistic (G minor) for the joyful occasion. The original TRIO EINGANG in the 1 st version was also discarded by the composer probably because it sounded too Mozartian (light) as the military march.