Lockvögel op. 118 - Johann Strauss II

"Lockvögel", waltz op.118. Author: Johann Strauss II (1825 - 1899).
Picture: "Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne" by Alfred Sisley.
The waltz "Lockvögel" was heard for the first time on 5 July 1852 at Strauss's benefit in the Bierhalle establishment in the suburb of Fünfhaus (today, Vienna's 15th district). Johann and the Strauss Orchestra played both for the concert and the ball and, in announcing this 'Extraordinary Festivity', the Theaterzeitung (4.07.1852) asked: "New waltz, large-scale illuminations, fire-works, ball and real lager and strong beer: Heart, what more do you want?!". On 7 July it published its account of the fête in the Bierhalle: "A giver of festivals is a pitiable man, for he is dependent upon the weather, upon the whim of the public and upon heaven knows what other circumstances and situations. Herr Strauss has no need to fear the whim of the public for he is their declared favourite, but against Jupiter Pluvius [= rain] no mortal is able to do a thing; and so it was this time also for Herr Strauss with his benefit which took place the day before yesterday in the Bierhalle. The beautiful summer weather in the morning appeared favourable to the enterprise, but in the afternoon it became overcast and was of so uncertain a nature that it deterred many people from attending the festivity. Two military bands alternated with Herr Strauss's orchestra, and reaped plentiful applause for the first-rate performance of the chosen pieces of music. However, Strauss's latest waltz, 'Lockvögel', formed the climax of the musical programme and, during the course of the evening, had to be played about ten times. Dance themes which are enticing, likewise piquant and well suited to the title, with original, highly effective instrumentation, constitute the backbone of this waltz fashioned in Ländler-style".