The Merry Widow Waltz
“I’ve a new waltz I want Mamma to hear. She talks so often of the great Strauss. Here is a piece as good as any of his and it is also by a Viennese.”
He began to play.
The opening phrases were short and artless. They sounded like a rocking horse. But the swing began to grow longer, the rhythm stronger. The waltz began to ask questions, wistful, poignant. It took on a dreamier sweep.
Then a gayer theme sent Uncle Rudy’s fingers rippling over the keys. The melody wove in and out. It circled, swayed, as though it were music and dancer in on. It was irresistible.
—from Betsy in Spite of Herself
by Maud Hart Lovelace
It just freaked me out a little to realize that the Happy Birthday song on Tom Chapin’s Moonboat CD—Wonderboy’s favorite CD, hands down—is set to the tune of the Merry Widow waltz.
• The Merry Widow (first performed in Vienna in 1905)
• Merry Widow hat spoofed in a set of postcards, 1908
• Composer Franz Lehar
MFS says:
We saw The Merry Widow Waltz at the Lyric back in January. The girls were so enchanted by the music that a CD of highlights is in regular rotation in the car.
http://mentalmultivitamin.blogspot.com/2010/01/losing-our-opera-virginity_18.html
What a lovely piece of music the waltz is, yes, but my favorite? Vilja.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2jRkp6Ucho
Best regards.
Melissa
On June 1, 2010 at 6:22 am
MFS says:
That should be “but my favorite *track*?”
*sigh*
Best regards.
MFS
On June 1, 2010 at 6:23 am
Melissa Wiley says:
Melissa, thank you! I remember your opera post but had forgotten you saw Merry Widow. Thanks much for the links.
On June 1, 2010 at 7:30 am
MelanieB says:
The children all crowded around as the video began to play. “I love this music,” Bella sighed. We had to watch it three times.
On June 1, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Hannah says:
Oh! We know and love that Happy Birthday song (learned it a Music Together class once upon a time) but I didn’t realize it was the Merry Widow!
On June 1, 2010 at 6:39 pm