Johann Strauss II (October
25, 1825 – June 3, 1899), also known as Johann Baptist Strauss or Johann
Strauss, Jr., the Younger, or the Son (German: Sohn), was an Austrian composer
of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 400
waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several
operettas and a ballet. In his lifetime, he was known as "The Waltz
King", and was largely then responsible for the popularity of the waltz in
Vienna during the 19th century.
Strauss had two younger
brothers, Josef and Eduard Strauss, who became composers of light music as
well, although they were never as well-known as their elder brother.
Some of Johann Strauss's
most famous works include The Blue Danube, Kaiser-Walzer, Tales from the Vienna
Woods, and the Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka. Among his operettas, Die Fledermaus and
Der Zigeunerbaron are the best known.