Right here before us stands the Strauß-Lanner-Denkmal. It immortalizes Josef Lanner and Johann Strauß Father, two giants of Viennese music. This monument wasn’t always destined for this spot.
Initially, there was a plan. The plan was to place it in the 7th district. But the city decided on the Rathauspark. The monument’s unveiling happened on June 21, 1905.
Robert Oerley designed the overall plan. He also created the architectural elements. Franz Seifert handled the sculptures. Despite its unveiling, the location sparked protests. Some found its placement too hidden within the Rathauspark.
Even after settling on the Rathauspark, the monument faced challenges. Dense hedges surrounded it. This gave the impression of a “green prison”. Older generations, accustomed to open spaces, didn’t understand. They felt it was in a small hidden corner. They feared people wouldn’t even know it existed. Lanner’s relatives also wanted a more prominent location.
However, younger members of the Denkmalkomitee prevailed. They supported the chosen arrangement. Otto Wagner criticized the monument’s design. He remarked that the back resembled a public urinal, especially in winter. His letter went to Mayor Karl Lueger.
Lueger’s election marked a shift. He was not a Liberal. An expanded voting system elected him. This system allowed those paying only 5 Gulden in taxes to vote. The Christian Social Party fiercely opposed the upper class.
Strauss Father, born in 1804, died in 1849. Josef Lanner, born in 1801, died in 1843. During Karl Lueger’s time, they were seen as the most popular composers of Viennese folk music. The city council decided to honor them with a monument.
Franz Seifert sculpted the Strauß and Lanner memorial in 1905. It depicts them standing as larger-than-life figures. Strauß Father holds a music book. Lanner is shown with his violin.
Lanner, born to a glover’s apprentice, composed 208 musical pieces. From a young age, he experimented with string instruments. In 1819, he formed an ensemble. It consisted of two violins and a guitar. Later, they added a viola played by Strauß Father. This amateur quartet evolved into a public sensation. Lanner crafted a new dance form. He drew inspiration from Beethoven and Schubert. Lanner is seen as the true inventor of the Viennese waltz. The Strauß-Lanner-Denkmal commemorates their contribution to Vienna’s musical heritage.