Following the death of Johann Strauss (Father) in 1849, Johann Strauss (Son) assumed the leading role in the dance culture in Vienna. His success was accompanied by ill health, which led to his two brothers, Josef and Eduard, joining him as directors and composers. At first, Johann was ignored by the Habsburg court; his popularity in Prussian and Russian environments led to a gradual thaw and an imperial appointment. Many dances were now composed as concert items and took their place alongside music by other composers, notably Schubert and Wagner.

This chapter offers a focussed look at the music of Johann Strauss (Son), Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss composed in the 1860s, part of the Gründerzeit period. It deals with stylistic features of the waltz, polka, quadrille and march, performance venues and publication practices, together with their topicality – this including works that honour the Habsburg dynasty, celebrate the burgeoning world of commerce, industry and science, the liberalization of the press, images of old and new Vienna and of the surrounding countryside, physical well-being and the music of other composers.

Chapter 2 presents a chronological approach to the July crisis, the main theme emphasizing that it was Austria-Hungary that instigated the war, its leaders believing that Serbia had to be crushed. Particular attention is paid to the correspondence between the two general staffs and the emperors of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Demolishes all postwar Habsburg apologia and myths.