Strauss II - Morning Papers Waltz

Morgenblätter (Morning Journals) op. 279 is a Viennese Waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1863. The work&genesis was attributed to the composition of another waltz by Jacques Offenbach later titled &when the French opera composer dedicated his work to the influential Vienna Authors&and Journalists&Association (&The Association had earlier intended the &waltz (untitled by Offenbach when first dedicated) to be played at their &Ball&on 12 January 1864. Strauss and his orchestra were engaged to provide music for the festivity and he was also obliged to dedicate a new composition of his own. Since he was clearly aware of Offenbach&dedication, he similarly left it to the Association to decide the title of his own work. The committee, in a mood for a musical joust, titled Offenbach&work as &(Evening Papers) and Strauss&work as &(Morning Papers). Friendly rivalry was top of their intentions though, as Strauss dutifully premiered Offenbach&work as well as his own because the latter was not present on the day in question. Despite many later fabrications that Strauss&work was initially ignored, first night press reviews do not proclaim in favor of either work although posterity seemed to pronounce in favor of Strauss&uplifting work with the &waltz being equally impressive.