Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka

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Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka op. 214 is a polka written by Johann Strauss II in 1858 after a successful tour of Russia where he performed at the summer concert season at Pavlovsk near St. Petersburg.

The title may be interpreted as "Chit-chat" and may refer to the Viennese passion for gossip although Strauss reference may be alluded to the one-Act burlesque 'Der Tritsch-tratsch' (with music by Adolf Müller senior) by the famous Austrian dramatist and actor Johann Nepomuk Nestroy which was premiered in 1833 and was still in the stage repertoire at the same time the polka was written.

The mood of the piece is jaunty and high-spirited as was many of Strauss' polkas and many point out that the title may also meant his first wife's (Henrietta Treffz) poodle also named Tritsch-tratsch but this remained unsubstantiated.

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Based on original text by Peter Kemp, The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain. Used with permission.