Feuerfest!

Josef Strauß (1827-1879) comes from the famed Austrian Strauß family. His father was Johann Strauß, his older brother Johann Strauß (son) and his younger brother Eduard Strauß. All three sons were great composers, but Josef never aimed for a musical career. After his studies at the Vienna Polytechnikum (today the Technical University), he became an engineer and inventor. In 1852, he had to fill in for his very exhausted brother Johann as conductor of the Strauß band, composing his first piece. At first, he didn’t plan to write any more, but in time he wrote more than 300 compositions and filled in for his brother with increasing frequency.

Josef Strauß wrote his polka française “Feuerfest” (fireproof) in 1869, for the occasion of the 20.000th iron safe sold by the Wertheim company. The Vienna manufacturer of cash boxes and safes promoted their products as “fireproof”. They even did impressive public demonstrations and exposed the safes to strong fires. Strauß did not have to search long for a suitable title. The piece features the rhythmic sound of an anvil as a special effect and tribute to the blacksmith’s craft.

Siegfried Rundel (1940-2009) arranged Johann Strauß’ entertaining concert polka with all its charm and wit for wind band.