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Blue Danube

by Johann Strauss II (1866)


(instrumental by orchestra)
（管弦樂隊演奏）
River Danube in Vienna, a beautiful waterway with a sense of serenity. Panorama of river Danube in Vienna at evening. Click to enlarge (click again to close)
維也納的多瑙河，美麗而寧靜的水道。 維也納的多瑙河，初夜全景。 點擊放大(再擊關閉)

Notes 簡介

Johann Strauss II was an Austrian composer with the nickname 'The Waltz King'. Click to enlarge (click again to close)
Johann Strauss II（小約翰·史特勞斯）是奧地利作曲家，被譽為「圓舞曲之王」。 點擊放大(再擊關閉)
In Vienna, there is no escaping The Blue Danube waltz. It is played all year round, in restaurants, shops, and hotels. It is Austria’s unofficial national anthem and the most identified melody with that city. Without it, the New Year’s Concert in Vienna would not be complete.

The Blue Danube is the most famous waltz ever written. It is actually not one waltz but a chain of five interlinked waltz themes. It is one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire who never lost any of its seductive allure.

這一首圓舞曲《藍色多瑙河》，在維也納避無可避。餐廳、商鋪和酒店，全年不停播放。這是奧地利的非正式國歌，也是維也納最知名的旋律。維也納新年音樂會，尾聲一定演奏此圓舞曲。

《藍色多瑙河》是有史以來，最著名的圓舞曲。實際上不是一首華爾茲，而是一連串五個相互關聯的華爾茲主題。在古典曲目中，一直是最流行音樂作品之一，從不失其誘人的魅力。

Johann Strauss II Johann Strauss II（小約翰·史特勞斯）

The Strauss Family in Austria was deeply rooted in waltz, which started out in Vienna, a city immersed in dance and music. Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) was the most famous musician of the Strauss family.

In 1865, the choirmaster of Vienna Men’s Choral Association commissioned Strauss to write a choral work. Strauss had other commitments so the work was not started. When Austria was defeated by Prussia in the Seven Weeks’ War in 1866, he was encouraged to revisit his commission and write a joyful waltz theme to lift the spirit of the country.

Strauss named his theme "An der schönen blauen Donau", translated in English as "The Blue Danube". The poet of the choral society added humorous lyrics ridiculing the lost war, the bankrupt city and the hypocritical politicians. As the text was quite long, Strauss composed more music to the waltz.

The Blue Danube was premiered on 15 February 1867 for a special concert for the choir. The initial reception was rather neutral. Apparently it received only one encore, which in Strauss’s terms meant a flop. Possibly both the choir and the audience hated the words.

Later that year, Strauss adapted a purely orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World’s Fair. This created a sensation, with critics and audiences enjoying this new form.

The publisher of Strauss was overjoyed, as orders for the music score poured in. He had to make 100 new copper plates so that he could print over a million copies.

奧地利的 Strauss（史特勞斯）家族，對圓舞曲有著深厚的根基。圓舞曲（waltz）音譯華爾茲，起源於維也納，整個城市沉浸於舞蹈和音樂。Johann Strauss II（小約翰·史特勞斯，1825-1899）是 Strauss 家族中，最著名的音樂家。

1865年，維也納男子合唱團團長，委託 Strauss 創作一首合唱作品。他不能抽身，暫且擱置。1866年，奧地利在七週戰爭中被普魯士擊敗，團長鼓勵他完成創作，改寫一首歡暢的華爾茲主題曲，以振奮國家精神。

Strauss 把圓舞曲命名為《An der schönen blauen Donau》，中文翻譯成《藍色多瑙河》。合唱團的詩人，填上幽默歌詞，諷刺失敗的戰爭、破產的城市和虛偽的政客。由於文本很長，Strauss 為圓舞曲創作更多樂章。

1867年2月15日，在合唱團舉辦的特別音樂會中，《藍色多瑙河》首次公演。起初反應麻麻，據說只贏得一次加演。相對 Strauss 的名氣，這是慘敗。有可能合唱團和聽眾，都討厭曲詞。

幾個月後，Strauss 改編圓舞曲為純管弦樂版本，在1867年巴黎世界博覽會中公開演奏。這次引來轟動，觀眾和評論家，都欣賞新形式。

Strauss 的出版商喜出望外，樂譜訂單如雪片飛來。他趕忙製作100張新的銅版，印刷超過100萬冊。

The Composition 樂譜創作

Music notation handwritten by Johann Strauss II, with his signature. Click to enlarge (click again to close)
Johann Strauss II（小約翰·史特勞斯）手寫的樂譜，附有簽名。 點擊放大(再擊關閉)
When the choirmaster suggested Strauss to write a waltz with the theme of the Danube, a beautiful picture immediately appeared in his mind. He had been sailing on the Danube and strolling on its banks for numerous times. The running water, the picturesque landscape, the simple dancing of the villagers and the amazing legends often fascinated him.

It was ironic that the Danube was never blue, not for a single day within a year. At that time, the river did not even flow through Vienna. Strauss was inspired by a poem by Karl Isidor Beck, with each stanza ending with the line: "By the Danube, beautiful blue Danube".

It was said that Strauss didn’t go home that night when he composed this piece. Arriving at home until early morning, he took off his shirt and went to sleep. His wife Treffz, a singer, found the music notes on her husband’s shirt. Realizing that it was his new composition, she didn’t do anything with it. When she came back again, she was surprised to find that the shirt was missing.

Luckily the laundress just put the shirt into the washtub, the ink was not soaked yet. When we hear this beautiful waltz today, we really should thank Treffz for saving the music.

Strauss 接受合唱團團長的提議，寫一首以多瑙河為主題的圓舞曲。當時，腦海立刻浮現美麗畫面。他多次在河上航行，沿河岸漫步。流水潺潺、風景如畫、村民淳樸的舞蹈和令人驚嘆的傳說，時常讓他著迷。

諷刺的是，多瑙河從來不呈藍色，一年之內一天都沒有。那時，多瑙河甚至不流經維也納。Strauss 的靈感，來自 Karl Isidor Beck 的一首詩，每節都以這句結尾：「在多瑙河畔，美麗的藍色多瑙河。」

據說，Strauss 出外創作這首樂曲，那天晚上未有回家。直到清晨，回家脫下襯衫就去睡。他的妻子 Treffz 是一名歌唱家，發現丈夫的襯衫上有一些音符。她意識到這是新作品，什麼也不做。再回來卻不見襯衫，大吃一驚。

幸好，洗衣女工剛把襯衫放入洗衣桶，墨水未浸透。今天，當聽到這首美妙的圓舞曲時，或許真的要感謝 Treffz，拯救了樂章。

The Success 成功表演

Bird's-eye view of the main exposition building and grounds of the 1867 World's Fair in Paris. Click to enlarge (click again to close)
1867年巴黎世界博覽會，主展覽館和場地的鳥瞰圖。 點擊放大(再擊關閉)
This waltz piece made a sensation internationally after it was rearranged into orchestral music and played during the Expo' 1867 in Paris. The wife of the Ambassador of France in Austria played an important role here.

When the ambassador wife learned that Strauss would join the exposition Paris, she felt that his music would integrate the carefree mood of the Parisians with the cheerful spirit of the Viennese. She applied for 160,000 francs from the Austrian government to start her diplomatic campaign with huge ballroom parties.

Strauss conducted the performance in front of Napoleon III and Queen Eugene. He performed a lot of music that the audience were familiar with. Suddenly an unheard-of piece started very gently, and in the middle part there was a lively theme. Suddenly it turned into a familiar melody, streaming like water, undulating in the beautiful music. The piece was the waltz that became world-famous afterwards: the Blue Danube.

The successful performance of the Blue Danube was immediately known by the whole exposition. Strauss was frequently invited to perform, and the Blue Danube almost became the theme music of Expo' 1867.

Six years later, during Expo' 1873 Vienna, the organizers launched a series of concerts to create a music atmosphere, where the Blue Danube still played a dominant role.

這首圓舞曲樂章，重新改編成管弦樂，並在1867年巴黎世博會期間演奏，揭起國際起熱潮。這項成就，歸功於法國駐奧地利大使夫人。

大使夫人聽聞 Strauss 將參加巴黎世博會，認為他的音樂，會把巴黎人無憂無慮的心情，和維也納人愉快開朗的精神，融為一體。於是她向奧地利政府申請160,000法郎，舉辦大型舞廳派對，開展外交活動。

在拿破崙三世和王后 Eugene 席前，Strauss 指揮演奏，以多首觀眾熟悉的音樂開始。突然一首前所未聞的音樂，很輕柔地響起，中間部分天真活潑。頓時變成可愛的旋律，如清水般流淌，在優美曲調中起伏。這首樂曲，就是後來舉世聞名的圓舞曲：藍色多瑙河。

《藍色多瑙河》演出成功，立即傳遍整個博覽會。Strauss 頻頻應邀演出，《藍色多瑙河》幾乎成為1867年世界博會的主題曲。

六年後，在1873年維也納世界博會期間，大會推出一系列音樂會，營造音樂氣氛，《藍色多瑙河》仍然佔據主導地位。

Waltz Theme 圆舞樂曲

A modern poster for the waltz of Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II. Click to enlarge (click again to close)
Johann Strauss II（小約翰·史特勞斯）《藍色多瑙河》圆舞曲之現代海報。 點擊放大(再擊關閉)
The reason why The Blue Danube is so popular is because of its smooth melody, soft and elegant, free rhythm and full of vitality. It is not only a gorgeous dance piece belonging to the Austrians, but also an Austrian folk painting drawn by Strauss with musical notes.

The Blue Danube is composed of a prelude, five small waltzes and an epilogue. To perform in its entirety takes between 8 to 10 minutes.

As soon as the prelude begins, the shimmering strings mirrors the water waves of the Danube, sparkling and rippling in the morning light, adding to the magical atmosphere. The French horn is like a ray of light, awakening the sleeping earth. Then the staccato woodwind chords, echoing the French horn, the melody becomes smooth, depicting the endless flow of the Danube. The timbre is richer, presenting a beautiful scene of singing, dancing, drinking and entertainment.

Soon, the music disappears into its restful character. A quick contrast acts as a segue before the descending bass leads the orchestra into the iconic waltz melody.

Strauss offers all instruments a chance to play the theme, passing the melody from the strings to the winds and then to the brass. The instruments are in a dialogue as the waltz tempo keeps the music swaying along.

A sequence of other waltzes are heard, which develop the initial waltz theme. Strauss moves through different keys to add interest and excitement to each individual waltz. He glides through D major, B♭ major and G major before touching on G minor then settling into F major.

A recap of the original waltz is heard near the end of the piece, which is now accentuated by the brass and percussion much more. The end is reflective in character, which is shown by Strauss’ thinner orchestration and use of certain solo instruments. The idyll is cut short as the waltz hurries back for a flourishing finale.

When performed live there is often an extra three minutes after the main waltz that orchestras perform the original waltz, with each repeat getting faster. It has now become quite the tradition in concert halls around the world.

The Blue Danube is a truly iconic piece of music that has earned its place in the classical music hall of fame.

《藍色多瑙河》之所以受歡迎，皆因它旋律酣暢，柔美飄逸，節奏自由，生機盎然。不僅是一首屬於奧地利人的華麗舞曲，也是 Strauss 用音符繪製的一幅奧地利民間風情畫。

《藍色多瑙河》分為序曲、五個小圓舞曲和尾聲組成，完整演奏需要 8 至 10 分鐘。

序曲甫開始，琴弦的震音像多瑙河的水波，在晨曦中閃爍蕩漾，增添神奇氣氛。圓號（French horn）像一道霞光，喚醒沉睡的大地。接著的木管和弦頓音，與圓號相呼應，旋律流暢，描繪多瑙河川流不息。音色更豐富，呈現載歌載舞，飲酒歡娛的美好景象。

很快，音樂消失在寧靜的風格中。快速對比成為轉折點，延續下行低音，帶領管弦樂，進入標誌性的華爾茲旋律。

Strauss 為所有管弦樂器，提供演奏主題的機會，旋律從弦樂傳遞到管樂，然後傳遞到銅管。隨著華爾茲節奏，音樂起伏迴盪，樂器彷彿進行對話。

最初的華爾茲主題，隨著一系列其他的華爾茲，柔柔發展。Strauss 以不同調子移動，為每個華爾茲增添趣味和激情。輕鬆滑過 D 大調、B♭ 大調和 G 大調，接觸 G 小調，推向 F 大調。

接近尾聲，重述最初的華爾茲，突出銅管樂和敲擊樂。結尾特色是反思，Strauss 略略编排某些樂器獨奏，表明這一點。田園詩情不再，華爾茲匆匆回到華麗的結局。

現場表演時，常在主要華爾茲後，添加三分鐘。管弦樂隊會演奏最初華爾茲，每次重複越來越快，成為現在世界各地音樂廳的傳統。

《藍色多瑙河》是真正標誌性的音樂作品，在古典音樂名人堂中，佔一席位。

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