Friedenspalmen (Palms of Peace), Walzer, Op. 207

Program notes

About the Work

Friedenspalmen (‘Palms of Peace’) is a concert waltz by Josef Strauss, the most poetic of the three brothers, and its title, the palm branch as an emblem of peace, sets a gentle, conciliatory tone. It belongs to the rich body of waltzes in which Josef brought his characteristic refinement and emotional depth to the Viennese dance. Where his brother Johann’s waltzes tend to dazzle, Josef’s often probe a more inward, sometimes melancholy world, achieved through subtle harmonies and an unusually delicate sense of orchestral colour. Friedenspalmen shows these qualities in abundance, its peaceful title matched by music of tenderness and grace. Less frequently heard than the great Strauss waltzes, it rewards attention as a fine example of the lyrical gift that led many to regard Josef as the most musically subtle of the family. Placed at the end of the printed programme, it deepens the morning’s tribute to the quieter genius among the Strauss brothers.

What to Listen For

Listen for the gentle, peaceful mood that pervades the work, from its reflective introduction onward. Josef’s waltz melodies sing with a tender, slightly wistful quality, and his orchestration favours warm, transparent textures over brilliance. Note the subtle harmonic shadings that distinguish his style, and the way the coda draws the themes together into a serene, glowing close.