Josef Strauss

Early in Josef's musical studies he was under the tutelage of Dolleschal for theory and he learned the violin with Franz Amon the, teacher of his older brother, Johann. Not wanting to pursue music, Josef studied architecture and engineering and invented a street-cleaning machine that was used in Vienna. 1853 brought with it Josef's musical debut as both a composer and conductor. He took up music professionally in 1856 after the persistent urging of Johann. Initially he shared in the direction of the Strauss orchestra. His own composition of waltzes were crafted much more keenly than Johann's. Josef wrote a number of waltzes that were popular and many with a value beyond the form itself. Some of his compositions mysteriously disappeared and one can only wonder if this was due to the jealousy of his brother. ~ Keith Johnson