Johann Strauss II: O schöner Mai! (O Lovely May! 美しき五月!) Walzer op.375 1st and 2nd versions (1877)

Johann Strauβ BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (1825-2025)
O schöner Mai! (O Lovely May! 美しき五月!) Walzer Op. 375 nach Motiven der komischen Operette PRINZ METHUSALEM - 1st and 2nd versions (1877)
1st version:
Source: 1st edition Piano Score published by Friedrich Schreiber, Wien - Aug. Cranz, Hamburg, Plate No. F.S.24243 (4/1877)
Performed by Dr. Taka S. Otagawa drive.google.c...
Recorded LIVE (11/5/1977) at Herr Karasawa*’s Residence, Yokohama, JAPAN (*唐澤俊三 Founder/Director of the Tokyo Johann Strauβ Ensemble) Equipment: Top-of-the-line Yamaha Upright Piano, TEAC Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder, Professional Recording Microphone
2nd version:
Sources: 1st edition Piano Score published by C.A. Spina, Wien - Aug. Cranz, Hamburg, Plate No. F.S.24243 (9/1877), Strauss Edition Wien Score 1 10A 375W
Orchestral performance: Courtesy of Otto Schulz-Biedermeier Orchestra (1950s)
The Johann II’s “French” operetta: Prinz Methusalem (Prince Methusalem) • Ouvertüre zur Operette... was first performed, conducted by Johann Strauss II himself, on January 3, 1877 at the Carltheater in Vienna . It achieved a run of 80 performances. 3 days after the premiere Johann II left Vienna for Paris to conduct numerous Balls and Concerts (Johann II stayed in Paris until March 13, 1877). Prior to leaving for Paris Johann II managed to compile the 1st version of “O schöner Mai! (O Lovely May! 美しき五月!) Walzer”, which was 1st performed by the Strauss Orchestra conducted by Eduard Strauss in the Musikverein on Sunday January 21, 1877. Apparently, Johann II was NOT satisfied with the original CODA: While in Paris, Johann II wrote a NEW CODA (2nd version) that is "richly orchestrated" and would sound more SYMPHONIC so as to please "sophisticated" audiences in Paris. The original "simple" 2-bar TRANSITION between the Waltz 1B and the Waltz 2A (page 10) is “expanded” to 11 bars. The CONCLUSION (page 11) is completely re-written. It is likely that Johann II introduced the 2nd version during his Farewell Concert in Paris on March 13, 1877, along with the charming I Tipferl (The Dot on the "i"　画竜点睛) Polka française op.377. • I Tipferl, Op. 377: I ... The orchestral parts were published based on the 2nd version.

[@antares7880]

I am very grateful to you for both wonderful versions of one of my favorite waltzes by Johann II!

[@moonslostchild]

Nice! Thank you for this video👍

[@user-no9fz6yz3e]

Спасибо! Я считаю, что Кода во 2-й версии композиционно более совершенна, чем в 1-й