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Title	Kaiserwalzer (Empereur Valse)
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Concert waltz
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Publisher's article no.	KL 335
Year of publication	1997
Price	126.00 EUR (incl. 10 % Austrian VAT)
Composer	Strauss, Johann Sohn
Arranger	Kliment, Hans
Opus no.	Op.437
Difficulty level	4
Duration	11:20
Additional info/contents	The title Kaiserwalzer has posed many a mystery: is it a bow to the reigning Austrian monarch Franz Joseph I, or is it a dedication to the German Emperor. The original title of the waltz was Hand in Hand and referred to the alliance between the German Empire and the Danube Monarchy. It was changed before the first performance. The meaning remained the same. However, it now referred to the two emperors, Wilhelm II and Franz Joseph I, who were politically allied and shared a common foreign policy path. Only a few days earlier, this alliance had been reaffirmed on the occasion of a visit by the Austrian Emperor to Berlin. As early as 11 November 1889, the waltz was first performed for the Viennese at the Ronacher by Carl Michael Ziehrer. Ziehrer had orchestrated the Emperor Waltz according to a piano reduction and thus aroused Strauss's disapproval. On 24 November - as part of a benefit concert given by his brother Eduard - the composer, as conductor of the Strauss Orchestra, presented his waltz to the Viennese public in the "original instrumentation". The concert took place in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, the Emperor Waltz was acclaimed and had to be repeated. (Kliment) Prt PicFlt Flt Ob Fag/BClr EsClr Clr 1,2,3 SSax ASax TSax BSax Flh 1,2 Trp 1,2,3 BsTrp Tnh 1,2,3 Hrn in F+Eb 1,2,3,4 Trb in C 1,2,3 (BC) Trb in Bb 1,2,3 (BC+TC) Brt in C (BC) Brt in Bb (BC+TC) EsTub (BC+TC) BTub (BC+TC) Tub in C 1,2 SD BD MCym Tmp
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Programme notes: The Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss II (Op. 437) and its arrangement for wind orchestra by Hans Kliment The Emperor Waltz (Op. 437) is one of the most important works of the Viennese waltz tradition and was composed by Johann Strauss II in 1889. Originally titled "Hand in Hand," the work later received its current name. The premiere took place on October 19, 1889, in the Königsbau concert hall in Berlin. The Emperor Waltz was composed at a time when Strauss was already considered one of the most outstanding representatives of Viennese waltz music. His work is characterized by elegant melodic lines, rhythmic precision, and the characteristic three-quarter time signature that distinguishes the Viennese waltz. The historical significance of the Emperor Waltz lies not only in its musical quality but also in its status as a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the cultural heritage of the Danube Monarchy. To this day, the Emperor Waltz remains a staple of the classical concert repertoire and enjoys great popularity worldwide. Musically, the Emperor Waltz is characterized by its clear form and structure. The work consists of an introduction, several waltz sections, and a coda. Typical of Strauss are the contrasting themes that alternate and recur throughout the piece. The melodies are lyrical and catchy, with the main waltz being particularly captivating due to its songlike melody. The accompaniment is characterized by syncopated rhythms and a lively bass line. The original work was orchestrated for a large symphony orchestra with strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The timbres are nuanced and emphasize the danceable lightness of the waltz. The harmony is chromatically enriched, lending the work a special expressive and dramatic depth. Hans Kliment's Arrangement for Wind Orchestra Hans Kliment's arrangement of the Emperor Waltz for wind orchestra represents a significant adaptation of the original work. Kliment, a renowned arranger and conductor, has masterfully transferred the sonic splendor of a symphony orchestra to a wind orchestra without altering its musical essence. In his instrumentation, Kliment utilizes the typical instrumentation of a modern wind orchestra, consisting of woodwinds such as flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons; brass instruments such as trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas; and percussion. The emphasis on the melodic lines in the woodwind and brass sections is particularly noteworthy, underscoring the waltz's danceable character. The rhythm section is often augmented by percussion instruments to preserve the dynamic vibrancy of the original. In interpretation and performance practice, Kliment's arrangement demands a high degree of articulatory precision from the musicians, particularly in the syncopated passages and rapid runs. The dynamics are especially emphasized by the rich sound of the wind orchestra, lending the work a festive and majestic character. Performance practice often emphasizes clear phrasing and a balanced interplay between the instrumental groups to preserve the transparency of Strauss's orchestration. One of the greatest challenges of this arrangement is translating the chromatic harmonies and subtle dynamic nuances of the original to a wind orchestra. Precise articulation is essential to maintain the waltz's lightness. Achieving a balanced interplay between the instrumental groups requires meticulous rehearsals to produce a homogeneous sound. Hans Kliment's arrangement of the Emperor Waltz has made the work accessible to a new audience. Wind orchestras, which frequently perform at concerts and festive events, benefit from this adaptation, as it allows them to expand their repertoire with a classical masterpiece. For the audience, the arrangement offers a new listening experience that preserves the festiveness and elegance of the original while adding its own distinctive character through the unique timbres of the wind orchestra. For wind orchestras, this arrangement makes it possible to include a demanding work of Viennese Classicism in their programs, thereby demonstrating their musical range. For the audience, the arrangement creates a connection between traditional waltz music and modern wind orchestra literature. The Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss Jr. remains a masterpiece of the Viennese waltz tradition, which has gained a new sonic dimension through the arrangement by Hans Kliment for wind orchestra. Kliment's adaptation preserves the musical essence of the original while simultaneously making it accessible to wind orchestras and their audiences. The arrangement thus enriches the repertoire and underscores the diversity and flexibility of wind music. It demonstrates how traditional works can be kept alive for new ensembles and listening habits through skillful arrangements. Text: musicainfo.net (KI) Quellen/Sources: Wikipedia: Kaiserwalzer

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	Format	EUR
	Kaiserwalzer (Empereur Valse) (concert/wind band), full score and parts	126.00
	Kaiserwalzer (Empereur Valse) (concert/wind band), full score	31.50
	Bezirksblasorchester BAG Baden und Umgebung Live 2000, audio CD

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