The son of Johann Strauss I and brother of Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss, he was born in Vienna. He worked initially as an engineer and designer before joining the family orchestra in the 1850s. His academic achievements at an early age do not point to him being a composer as he was also destined by his father for a career in the Austrian Habsburg military although he flourished as an architect for the Vienna City Council in 1853 and even presented to the Vienna Municipal Council with detailed plans for a street-cleaning machine.
He was clearly reluctant to deputise for his brother Johann Strauss II when his elder brother was taken seriously ill in 1853 as his first ever published work "Die Ersten und Letzten" (The First and the Last) of which the title tangibly displayed signs that he was not intending to maintain that position for long. The waltz-loving Viennese, however, were appreciative of his early waltzes and polkas and he decided to continue plying his trade in the family craft of composing waltzes and other dance music. He married Caroline Pruckmayer at the church of St Johann Nepomuk in Vienna on 8 June 1857 and had only one daughter, Karoline Anna, who was born on 27 March 1858.
Josef Strauss never enjoyed good health throughout his life and during a tour to Poland in 1870, he fell unconscious from the conductor's podium while conducting his 'Musical Potpourri' and was hastened back to his home in Vienna by his distraught wife. It was back home in the 'Hirschenhaus' that Josef died on 22 July of 1870. A final diagnosis only reported a decomposition of blood which led to many rumors that he was beaten by drunken Russian soldiers after he allegedly refused to perform music for them one night although his death would not be ascertained as his widow even forbade an autopsy. His grave is on St. Marx cemetery.
He wrote many waltzes, many of them still in the classical repertoire including "Sphären-Klänge" (Music of the Spheres), "Delirien" (Deliriums), "Transaktionen" (Transactions), "Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb und Lust" (My Character is Love and Joy) and "Dorfschwalben aus Osterreich" (Village Swallows from Austria), polkas (most famously the "Pizzicato Polka" with his brother Johann II), quadrilles and other dance music. His pieces tend to be of a more serious character than those of his siblings. This was reflected in the waltz "Dynamiden" where his use of minor keys imparted an almost wistful quality and invariably distinguished his waltzes from that of his more popular elder brother.
He most probably stamped his personal mark on the polka-mazurka where he wrote many imperishable examples like "Die Emancipirte" and "Die Libelle". His amazing output of dance pieces would have surpassed that of his elder brother, had he survived, as Johann was by then concentrating on writing music for operettas and other stage works.
Auf Ferienreisen Polka schnell Op. 133
Josef Strauss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ferienbeginn
Alle haben Reisen nur im Sinn, haben Reisen nur im Sinn.
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour,
Riga, Kopenhagen, weiter, nicht verzagen
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour, Riga, Kopenhagen, um die Welt.
Ach, wohin die Reise uns auch führt
Und was dabei noch passiert
Das Leben ist es, was man spürt.
Wilde Bilder für das Fräulein Hilda
Wieder Lieder singen wir für Ida
Noch ein Selfie mit der schönen Elfi
So beglücken schöne Augenblicke,
So kann man sich bestens amüsieren
Wilde Bilder von dem Fräulein Hilda
Wieder Lieder singen wir für Ida
Noch ein Selfie mit der schönen Elfi
Alle haben jetzt ihr Souvenir!
Wer verreist, wer verreist, der kann was
Erleben—
(Und) sind Menschen weitgereist, (dann) sie
Zu Recht als Weise preist.
Reisen ist, Reisen ist, Reisen ist das Leben
(Und) sind Menschen weitgereist, (dann) sie
Zu Recht als Weise preist.
Heute endlich Ferienbeginn, endlich
Ferienbeginn
Alle haben Reisen nur im Sinn, haben Reisen nur im Sinn . . .
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour,
Riga, Kopenhagen, weiter, nicht verzagen
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour, Riga, Kopenhagen, um die Welt.
Ach, wohin die Reise-uns-auch führt
Und was dabei-noch-passiert
Keiner bleibt davon gänzlich unberührt
Das Leben ist es, was man spürt.
Reisen ist die Welt!
Hei!
The lyrics of Josef Strauss's song "Auf Ferienreisen Polka schnell Op. 133" celebrate the joys of summer vacation and traveling. The song starts with the excitement of the first day of vacation, and how everyone is eager to go on a journey. The lyrics mention different destinations from around the world, such as Singapur, Roc Amadour, Riga, and Kopenhagen. The song highlights the fact that no matter where one travels or what happens during the journey, it is the experience of life itself that one takes back.
The chorus of the song reiterates that people who travel become wise, and that traveling is a way of living life. The lyrics suggest that while traveling, people create beautiful memories with their loved ones, like taking selfies with beautiful people or singing songs together on the way. The lyrics of the song end on a hopeful note, suggesting that life is a journey, and the destination is not as important as the experience of the journey itself.
Overall, this song is a beautiful celebration of life and the joys of traveling. It highlights the importance of taking a break from the routine of everyday life and experiencing new things, immersing oneself in different cultures and places, and creating beautiful memories with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Heute endlich Ferienbeginn, endlich
Today is finally the beginning of our vacation, finally
Alle haben Reisen nur im Sinn, haben Reisen nur im Sinn.
Everyone has only travel on their mind, only travel
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour, Riga, Kopenhagen, weiter, nicht verzagen
Off to Singapore, Roc Amadour, Riga, Copenhagen, let's continue, don't lose hope
Auf nach Singapur, nach Roc Amadour, Riga, Kopenhagen, um die Welt.
Off to Singapore, Roc Amadour, Riga, Copenhagen, around the world
Ach, wohin die Reise uns auch führt, Und was dabei noch passiert
Oh, wherever the journey may lead us, and whatever may happen along the way
Keiner bleibt davon gänzlich unberührt, Das Leben ist es, was man spürt.
No one is left completely unaffected, it's life that we feel
Wilde Bilder für das Fräulein Hilda, Wieder Lieder singen wir für Ida, Noch ein Selfie mit der schönen Elfi
Wild pictures for Miss Hilda, singing songs again for Ida, another selfie with beautiful Elfi
So beglücken schöne Augenblicke, So kann man sich bestens amüsieren
Such delightful moments bring joy, one can enjoy themselves to the fullest
Alle haben jetzt ihr Souvenir!
Everyone now has their souvenir!
Wer verreist, wer verreist, der kann was Erleben— (Und) sind Menschen weitgereist, (dann) sie Zu Recht als Weise preist.
Those who travel can experience something - and if people have traveled far, they are rightly praised as wise.
Reisen ist, Reisen ist, Reisen ist das Leben (Und) sind Menschen weitgereist, (dann) sie Zu Recht als Weise preist.
Traveling is, traveling is, traveling is life - and if people have traveled far, they are rightly praised as wise.
Reisen ist die Welt!
Traveling is the world!
Hei!
Hey!
Writer(s): Max Schonherr, Josef Strauss
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MikoNatt
How many comments I made in some minutes? (9/09/19), a lot!, If you read it all I would say thank you for your patience! You deserve a little pause like in this case he made Josef Strauss!, so I will stop for some hours maybe even one day, see you soon!