Oscar Straus
Who was Oscar Straus?
Viennese composer (1870-1954)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Oscar Straus (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Oscar Nathan Straus, born on March 6, 1870, in Vienna to a Jewish family, became a leading composer of operettas and light music in the early 1900s. He dropped the final "s" from his surname, Strauss, to set himself apart from Vienna's well-known Strauss musical family, even though he was deeply influenced by the city's musical culture. Johann Strauss II advised him in 1898 to focus on theatrical music instead of waltz compositions for better commercial success.
Straus trained in Berlin with composer Max Bruch, which gave him a solid foundation in composition. He worked as an orchestral conductor and composed over 500 cabaret songs at the Überbrettl cabaret. Back in Vienna, he produced operettas that made him a rival to Franz Lehár, the leading figure in Viennese operetta at that time. When Lehár's successful operetta The Merry Widow came out in 1905, Straus famously said, "I can also do that!"
His most famous work, Ein Walzertraum (A Waltz Dream), premiered in 1907 and gained him international fame. The operetta's waltz became one of his most recognized orchestral pieces. Another hit, Der tapfere Soldat (The Chocolate Soldier), boosted his reputation in Europe and the U.S. Beyond the stage, Straus composed in various genres, including chamber music, orchestral and choral works, and later film scores, adapting to changes in the entertainment industry throughout his career.
The Anschluss in 1938 forced Straus to flee. He moved to Paris in 1939, where he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur for his musical contributions. After Paris became unsafe, he escaped in 1940 to the U.S. via Portugal and settled in Hollywood, composing for films. He was married twice, first to Nelly Irmen and then to Clara Straus, and continued creating music despite the challenges of wartime displacement.
After WWII, Straus returned to Europe and settled in Bad Ischl in the Austrian Salzkammergut, a place cherished by the Austro-Hungarian artistic community. He lived there until he passed away on January 11, 1954, and was buried in the Bad Ischl Friedhof. One of his last celebrated works was the theme for Max Ophüls' 1950 film La Ronde, introducing his music to a new generation. Vienna honored him with its Ring of Honour, acknowledging his important role in the city's musical life.
Before Fame
Oscar Straus was born in Vienna in 1870 during a vibrant time in Austro-Hungarian cultural life. The city was bustling with music, theater, and intellectual activities. Vienna's theaters were famous for operettas, and the city's musical scene was influenced by people like Johann Strauss II and Franz Lehár. Growing up in this environment, Straus learned the popular musical styles and developed the drive to make his own mark.
He started gaining recognition by studying under Max Bruch in Berlin, which gave him a strong foundation beyond just the popular Viennese music. Straus got practical experience as an orchestral conductor and worked at the Überbrettl cabaret in Berlin, where he sharpened his skills for creating engaging and entertaining music. Writing cabaret songs and working in light theater settings helped him develop the skills he needed for the operettas that eventually brought him fame.
Key Achievements
- Composed Ein Walzertraum (A Waltz Dream, 1907), one of the most successful Viennese operettas of the early twentieth century
- Wrote the score for Der tapfere Soldat (The Chocolate Soldier), which achieved major international success on stage and in adaptation
- Composed the celebrated theme for Max Ophüls' 1950 film La Ronde, reaching wide audiences in the postwar era
- Awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by France in recognition of his musical contributions
- Received the Ring of Honour of the City of Vienna, the city's prestigious civic cultural award
Did You Know?
- 01.Straus deliberately dropped the final 's' from his birth name 'Strauss' to avoid any professional association with Vienna's famous Strauss musical dynasty.
- 02.Johann Strauss II personally advised the young Straus in 1898 to abandon waltz writing in favor of composing for the theater, advice that shaped the entire direction of his career.
- 03.Upon hearing that Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow had become a sensation in 1905, Straus reportedly quipped 'Das kann ich auch!' — 'I can also do that!' — a remark that preceded his own major operetta successes.
- 04.Straus composed over 500 cabaret songs during his career, a body of work that runs parallel to and largely overshadows his reputation as a writer of light theatrical music.
- 05.He composed the internationally recognized theme for Max Ophüls' 1950 film La Ronde, one of his most widely heard works, written when he was already eighty years old.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ring of Honour of the City of Vienna | — | — |