Herzbeamerl, Polka Mazurka, Op. 31 - Josef Strauss

"Heart Flower". The Polka Mazurka with the folkish title, Herzbleamrl, was performed for the first time during the carnival season of 1857. This work must have been presented at one of the first balls of the season, and suited the character and inclinations of its composer Josef Strauss exactly. It offers austrian folk-tunes in the Form of dance music. Just as individual as this type of dance music was the choice of the title: the "Herzbleamerl" was probably a flower, which was only known to Josef Strauss. Perhaps, however, the composer meant the red-blooming heart flower, which in antiquity had already become a symbol for the heart of a passionate woman. The illustrator of the title page for the piano score didn't believe in a heart flower; rather, he preferred to suspend winged genies in a scenery of clouds. This composition was mentioned for the first time in the announcement for the benefit ball by the Strauss Brothers, on 16 February 1857. The printed version was advertised in the Wiener Zeitung newspaper on 24 May 1857.

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Painting: Geraniums
Artist: Frederick Childe Hassam
Date: 1888

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Christian Pollack