Austrian composer Josef Strauss (1827-1870).
He was born in Vienna, the son of Johann Strauss I and brother of Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss. His academic achievements at an early age do not point to him being a composer. His father thought he was best suited for a career in the Austrian Habsburg military. He nevertheless studied music theory with Franz Dolleschal and violin with Franz Anton.
Josef Strauss wrote 283 opus numbers many of which reveal a composer of remarkable talent. He wrote many waltzes, many of them still in the classical repertoire including "Sphären-Klänge" (Music of the Spheres), "Delirien" (Deliriums), "Transaktionen" (Transactions), "Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb' und Lust" (My Character is Love and Joy) and "Dorfschwalben aus Österreich" (Village Swallows from Austria), polkas (most famously the "Pizzicato Polka" with his brother Johann II), quadrilles and other dance music.
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