Tournier-Quadrille, Op. 169 - Josef Strauss

"Jouster’s Quadrille". In the summer of 1864, the owners of the establishments in the Volksgarten organised a festival concert to commemorate the Emperor’s birthday on 18th August. They called the event the “Jubelfest” (Jubilee Celebration), and promised a brilliant fireworks display at the finale. The event was announced for 17th August, but inclement weather required its postponement until 19th August. In the summer of 1864, however, jousting games were not held in Vienna or in the vicinity of the Imperial City. The people’s attention was focused on the war in Schleswig-Holstein, in which a detachment of the Austrian army also took part. The title page of the piano score of the Turnier-Quadrille, issued on 22nd December 1864, accordingly shows two cavalrymen suited in full armour, their lances at the ready. The temperamental and very melodious Turnier-Quadrille found much acclaim, but was soon forgotten. It is, sad to say, missing from the Strauss orchestra’s later programmes.

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