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Title	Wo die Zitronen blüh'n
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Concert waltz
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Publisher's article no.	KL 1269
Series title	Wiener Musik Edition
Price	149.00 EUR (incl. 10 % Austrian VAT)
Composer	Strauss, Johann Sohn
Arranger	Hofmann, Anton; Reinau, Thorsten
Opus no.	Op.364
Difficulty level	4
Evaluation level of countries	A4 (Austrian D level); PWM-at (Literaturliste Polka, Walzer, Marsch)
Duration	9:20
Additional info/contents	Neue, revidierte Fassung mit Partitur. Johann Strauss' Opus 364 was written on the occasion of a tour of Italy. The first performance of this waltz took place on 10 June 1874 at the Etablissement Gartenbau in Vienna. A vocal version with the singer Marie Geistinger was performed on June 27, 1874, and a performance of 'Bella Italia' in Milan in May of the same year is already documented. The title reference can be seen in the song of Mignon in Goethe's novel "Wilhelm Meister's apprenticeship", as well as in Thomas Ambriose's opera "Mignon". With the romance "Do you know the land where the lemons bloom", the librettists of the opera drew on the touchingly romantic fate of the gypsy girl Mignon in Goethe's work. (© Kliment Musikverlag)
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External link	http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wo_die_Zitronen_bl%C3%BChen
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Programme notes: Where the Lemons Bloom, Op. 364 by Johann Strauss II: Origin, Literary References, and Arrangements for Wind Orchestra The concert waltz *Where the Lemons Bloom*, Op. 364, by Johann Strauss II is among the most famous works in the Viennese waltz repertoire. The composition and title of the piece are closely linked to the literary source material of Goethe's *Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship*, in which Mignon's song – "Do you know the land where the lemons bloom?" – plays a central role. This romance was later taken up and set to music by Ambroise Thomas in his opera *Mignon*. The waltz was composed in 1874 during Strauss's trip to Italy and premiered on May 9, 1874, at the Teatro Regio di Torino. The interplay of music, literature, and cultural reception makes this work a fascinating object of study, particularly in the context of its arrangements for wind orchestra by Anton Hofmann and Thorsten Reinau. Origin and Literary Reference The waltz's title directly references the famous romance "Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühen" (Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom?) from Goethe's *Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship* (1795–96). The song, sung by the mysterious figure of Mignon, expresses her longing for an idealized, distant homeland. Mignon, a Romani girl with a tragic fate, embodies the themes of alienation, longing, and incomplete identity in Goethe's work. The line "Where the lemon trees bloom" became a symbol of an imaginary, southern idyll—a motif frequently taken up in the Romantic and Biedermeier periods.* Ambroise Thomas's opera *Mignon* (1866) The literary source material inspired the French composer Ambroise Thomas to write his opera *Mignon* (premiered in 1866). Thomas's setting of the Mignon romance solidified the association of the title with musical lyricism. Strauss's waltz takes up this cultural code and translates it into the form of the Viennese waltz—a combination of literary depth and danceable lightness that was characteristic of 19th-century musical culture. Strauss's composition: Italian journey and premiere Johann Strauss II composed *Where the Lemon Trees Bloom*, Op. 364, during a trip to Italy. The premiere took place on May 9, 1874, in Turin, where the work was understood as a tribute to Italian culture and landscape. The waltz combines typical characteristics of the Strauss waltz tradition—lively melodies, elegant rhythms, and a rich orchestration—with the literary motif of the "lemon blossom" as a symbol of longing and wanderlust. Anton Hofmann's arrangement for wind orchestra Anton Hofmann (1853–1937), an Austrian conductor and composer, arranged numerous works by the Strauss dynasty for wind orchestra. His arrangement of *Where the Lemons Bloom* was created during a golden age of wind music in Europe. Hofmann's version aims to translate the sonic splendor of the original to the specific capabilities of a wind orchestra without altering the characteristic waltz melodies. Thorsten Reinau's Revised Arrangement for Modern Wind Orchestra In the 2000s, Thorsten Reinau, a German conductor and arranger, presented a revised arrangement of *Wo die Zitronen blüh’n* (Where the Lemons Bloom), specifically tailored to the requirements of modern wind orchestras. Reinau's arrangement incorporates current performance practices, expanded sonic possibilities, and a more flexible instrumentation. Reinau broadens the sonic spectrum through the use of saxophones, additional percussion instruments (e.g., vibraphone, marimba), and a more nuanced percussion treatment. This allows for a more modern timbre without compromising the character of the waltz. Subtle harmonic extensions, such as jazz elements or extended chords, enrich the soundscape while remaining within the tonality of the original. Reinau utilizes modern playing techniques (e.g., flutter-tonguing, glissandi) to enhance the work's expressiveness. The score also includes optional solo passages, allowing for a more individual interpretation. It is designed for various instrumental sizes, from small ensembles to large symphonic wind orchestras, increasing its practicality for both amateur and professional orchestras. Reinau's version is frequently used in concert programs today because it combines traditional waltz elements with contemporary sound effects. Reception and Cultural Significance *Where the Lemons Bloom*, Op. 364, is a prime example of the fusion of literature, opera, and instrumental music. The arrangements by Hofmann and Reinau demonstrate how a work can remain adaptable across different sonic concepts and eras without losing its essence. The waltz continues to be performed worldwide—both in its original orchestral version and in arrangements for wind band. Its cultural significance lies in the synthesis of literary tradition, musical innovation, and its adaptability to new performance practices. *Where the Lemons Bloom*, Op. 364, by Johann Strauss II is more than just a waltz: it is a musical testament to European cultural history. The arrangements by Anton Hofmann and Thorsten Reinau demonstrate how a work can reach new audiences through sonic and instrumental adaptations. At the same time, the literary reference to Goethe's Mignon remains a central element of the piece's identity—a bridge between poetry and music that continues to resonate today.* Text: musicainfo.net (KI) Quellen/Sources: Musikverlag Kliment: Wo die Zitronen blüh'n Wiener Symphoniker: Wo die Zitronen blüh'n Wikipedia: Wo die Zitronen blühen

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