Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Johann Strauss the Elder (1804-1849): An Austrian composer famous for his waltzes and other light dance music.
   • Johann Strauss the Younger (1825-1899): An Austrian composer, the son of Johann Strauss the Elder. He composed many famous waltzes, such as "The Blue Danube," and is often called the "Waltz King."
   • Richard Strauss (1864-1949): A German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras, known for his operas, tone poems, and lieder.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The orchestra played a medley of waltzes by Strauss.
  • Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier is a masterpiece of the repertoire.
  • Many people associate the name Strauss with elegant Viennese waltzes.

Advanced Usage

• The name "Strauss" in a musical context typically refers to one of the three major composers. To avoid ambiguity, the full name (e.g., Johann Strauss II, Richard Strauss) is often used.
• In historical discussions of Viennese music, "the Strauss family" refers to the musical dynasty including Johann Strauss the Elder, his sons Johann, Josef, and Eduard.

Variants and Related Words

• Straussian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the music or style of Richard Strauss.
  • The soprano tackled the Straussian vocal line with great skill.

Synonyms

• Composer (general term for someone who writes music).
• The Waltz King (a specific epithet for Johann Strauss the Younger).

Noun

1. Austrian composer of waltzes (1804-1849)
2. Austrian composer and son of Strauss the Elder; composed many famous waltzes and became known as the `waltz king' (1825-1899)
3. German composer of many operas; collaborated with librettist Hugo von Hoffmannsthal to produce several operas (1864-1949)