Johann Strauss | Morning Papers, Op 279 | Viennese waltz

Morgenblätter (Morning Papers), Op. 279, is a Viennese waltz composed by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) in 1863 and first performed on 12 January 1864 at the Sofiensaal in Vienna.

The work's genesis was attributed to the composition of a waltz by Jacques Offenbach later titled "Abendblätter" when Offenbach dedicated his work to the influential Vienna Authors' and Journalists' Association (Presseclub Concordia).

Camille Claudel | La valse, 1889-1905

The association had earlier intended the "Abendblätter" waltz (untitled by Offenbach when first dedicated) to be played at their Concordia 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's 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's work as "Abendblätter" (Evening Papers) and Strauss' work as "Morgenblätter" (Morning Papers).

Friendly rivalry was top of their intentions though as Strauss dutifully premiered Offenbach's work as well as his own because the latter was not present on the day in question.

Despite many later claims 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 "Abendblätter" waltz being equally impressive.

Zichy Mihaly | Ballo alla corte di Vienna

Morgenblätter (Foglie del mattino) op. 279, è un valzer di Johann Strauss (figlio).

Durante la sua visita a Vienna nell'autunno del 1863, Jacques Offenbach, omaggiò l'associazione di giornalisti Concordia con un valzer scritto in onore del ballo del circolo che si sarebbe svolto il 12 gennaio seguente nella Sofienbad-Saal.

Poiché anche l'orchestra Strauss era stata ingaggiata dal circolo Concordia, anche Johann Strauss fu obbligato a provvedere alla composizione di danze per il ballo del circolo.

Quando i committenti decisero di intitolare il valzer di Offenbach Abendblatter (Foglie della sera) e quello di Johann Morgenblätter (Foglie del mattino), la sera del ballo, nacque una piccola rivalità fra i due colleghi compositori.

Offenbach, comunque, non fu presente alla cerimonia fu Strauss a condurre la prima esecuzione di entrambi i valzer.

Durante l'evento la stampa non si pronunciò né a favore dell'uno, né a favore dell'altro; successivamente Abendblatter riuscì a trovare il favore del pubblico viennese, mentre Morgenblätter divenne subito un pezzo molto popolare nel repertorio delle orchestre.