(MUSIClassical member Howard tells us the original version was for four part male
chorus, schedule for February 10, 1867 as part
of the Wiener
Männergesan-Verein's "Faschings-Liedertafel" or
Carnival Program of songs,
but because of the situation in Vienna at the time,
had to be postpone until
the 15 of February. The original program has it listed as "Waltz for
Chorus and Orchestra' by
Johann Strauss". It was Strauss¹ publisher who
added the title, changing it slightly with each printing, i.e. An der Donau, Der
Donauwalzer, etc.
It got to the point that words were added to include
a mention of the river:
"Wo die Treue wächst im Herzen
Wie in Schacht das pure Gold
An der Donau
An der schönen blauen Donau"
Dispute all claims to the contrary, The "Blue Danau"
was an immediate
success.
