Orakelsprüche

As is the case with many works by Johann Strauss II, the title of Orakelsprüche [Oracles] gives more insight into the composition than the music itself. In 1851 Strauss held a Carnival charity ball in the Viennese Sophienbad-Saal with the theme ‘The Oracle of Delphi’ and provided suitably magnificent decorations. He promised extravagant festivities in defiance of the spirit of the time (Vienna remained in a state of emergency following the October Revolution of 1848) with ‘freedom in dance, equality in good spirits and fraternity in merriment’. The crowning glory of the evening was a new light-hearted waltz which was given the ominous name of Orakelsprüche with a touch of humorous irony.