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The Radetzky-March: A Rhythm that is Contagious

Austria and the Radetzky-March: A very special relationship. Written during the revolutionary year of 1848, the most famous piece by Johann Strauss the Elder has long since acquired status as the country’s unofficial national anthem. It can even help save lives.

Author: Mag. Elisabeth Merklein, Musicologist Vienna

The Radetzky-March

Josef Wenzel Radetzky von Radetz had already reached retirement age at the time of his famous victory against the Sardinian army in the Battle of Custoza on July 25, 1848. The highly decorated field marshall from an aristocratic family in Bohemia was an impressive 81 years old at the time. His victory did more than just secure Austrian dominance in Northern Italy: It buoyed the reactionary forces in Vienna which did not want to give in to liberal demands, although they had been beleaguered with uprisings all over the multinational monarchy ever since the March revolutions of 1848.

Which is why Radetzky’s triumph was celebrated with great fanfare. A big celebration was planned for August 31, 1848, and Johann Strauss was commissioned to contribute a new piece. The “Radetzky-March,” Op. 228, was a logical choice. By accepting the commission, Strauss firmly positioned himself as loyal to the emperor - contrary to his even more famous son, who sympathised with the revolutionaries.

The premiere was an immediate success. The piece had to be repeated twice, and the audience was said to have clapped along enthusiastically. This effect can be observed at the annual New Year’s Concert of The Vienna Philharmonics: Since 1946, the Radetzky-March has been performed as an encore and it has become a proud tradition for the audience to clap along - either loudly or quietly - at just the right moments.

The composition has also met with considerable success outside of concert halls.
Roth immortalised Strauss’s music in his 1932 novel Radetzky March, it is played at home matches of Austria’s national football team, and it is even recommended in first-aid courses as a means to find the right rhythm for heart massages.

Over time, the characteristic rhythmic pattern of the head motif, three anapests and one iambus has inspired the creation of numerous lyrical versions to go with the melody, from amusing vernacular expressions (roughly: when the dog / with a treat / over hurdles jumps) to commercials for canned vegetables (roughly: yes our corn / yes our corn / is the best there is).

Austria plays Hello!

The Radetzky-March Reimagined

Even if you know the “Radetzky-March” by heart, you’ll appreciate the new arrangement by the young Austrian composer Christian Heschl: Playfully enriched with lively syncopes, this version sounds almost like a dance and features a few harmonious surprises. Radetzky was surely not as light on his feet marching into battle.