Which composer wrote the “Blue Danube,” often performed at Vienna's New Year's Concert?

Johann Strauss II wrote “The Blue Danube,” a famous work often performed at Vienna's New Year's Concert.

Its full German title is “An der schönen blauen Donau,” meaning “On the Beautiful Blue Danube.” Strauss originally composed it as a choral waltz in 1866 for the Vienna Men's Choral Association. The instrumental version soon became more successful internationally, and the work is now strongly associated with Viennese musical culture.

At the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert, “The Blue Danube” is traditionally performed near the end of the program, after the official closing remarks. The audience commonly applauds during its opening bars, making the piece one of the concert's most recognizable moments.

Johann Strauss II is sometimes confused with his father, Johann Strauss I, who also composed famous dance music. The younger Strauss is the composer of “The Blue Danube” and is often called the “Waltz King.”