Karl Ziehrer - The Two Nightingales Polka, Op. 128 (1869)

Carl Michael Ziehrer (more rarely spelled Karl Michael Ziehrer) (2 May 1843 – 14 November 1922) was an Austrian composer. In his lifetime, he was one of the fiercest rivals of the Strauss family; most notably Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss.

Please support my channel:
https://ko-fi.com/bartjebartmans

Die beiden Nachtigallen, Op.128 (c. 1869)
Polka française

Original C.M. Zieher Orchester conducted by Hans Schadenbauer

Despite being a strong challenger of the Strauss music dynasty, he was unable to triumph over them and remained under their influence, which numbered among them his personal appearance; he maintained a "Schnurrbart" (moustache) as well as a similar hairstyle. By the turn of the century, Ziehrer felt that he needed to devote his time and attention towards composing, and his military band participation waned until he relinquished his last position in 1899, the year Johann Strauss II died.

Ziehrer enjoyed success in the operetta writing business, with stage works such as Die Landstreicher in 1899, but it was with the operetta Fremdenführer (Tourist Guide) that he achieved stage success. He was one of the composers who bridged the 'Golden Age' of operetta with the new influence of the emerging 'Silver Age', with composers such as Franz Lehár, who would dominate the operetta scene for many years later on.

In 1909, he was awarded the honorary post of the 'KK Hofballmusikdirektor', which was created for Johann Strauss I more than half a century earlier, and subsequently dominated within the Strausses with Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss also holding the office for many years. He was also the last person to hold this post, with the destruction of the Habsburg dynasty in World War I resulting in its dissolution. During the time before the war, he worked well with composers Franz Lehár, Oscar Straus, and Leo Fall, and was guest conductor at their concerts on many occasions.

The outbreak of the war sealed his career as a composer, and most of his property was destroyed. He died a poor and forgotten man on 14 November 1922 in Vienna probably of a stroke. [6] He was buried in the Zentralfriedhof in the graves of honor. His wife was buried beside him.

His rich musical heritage may not be comparable to the Strausses, who dominated for well over a century, but he was more prolific, having composed over 600 waltzes, polkas and marches, which are still performed today. Some of his works are even more Viennese in nature than that of the Strausses. His works are vigorous and forceful, with cheerful melodies written even near the end of the Habsburg dynasty.

Ziehrer was the subject of 1945 biopic Viennese Girls and was played by Willi Forst who also directed the film.