The festivity was meant to raise funds to be donated to the construction of German hospitals in Paris and Strauss' younger brother Josef was initially supposed to be conducting music at the ball without his brother Johann's anticipated presence.

Johann himself was happy to draw back from conducting at such occasions in addition to allowing Josef to compose a dedication piece for the event although at the last minute, the elder brother opted to contribute a waltz of his own to glorify the event.

Shortly, the first waltz theme makes a bold entry, long chords with a strong first beat in 3/4 time.

After a short coda, the first waltz theme reappears before accelerating into its rousing finish, complete with a brass flourish underlined by a snare drumroll.

Based on original text by Peter Kemp, The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain.