Strauss, Joseph

1827-1870

Brother of Johann Strauss, jr. Composer of dance-music considered by some of greater ability than his brother Johann; was born in Vienna. To please his father he became an architect, but studied music in secret, and in 1853, during the illness of his elder brother, was able to conduct his orchestra. After this he organized a band of his own and gave concerts. He composed dance-music which was for a time as popular as that of his brother. His health, always extremelv delicate, completely gave way after a trip to Warsaw, and he died a few days after his return to Vienna. He was a very rapid and prolific composer and left two hundred and eighty compositions.