Johann Strauss II, Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka Op. 214 (for Piano 8 Hands)

Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, composed in 1858, remains one of his most sparkling and witty creations. Its title refers to the lively chatter and gossip of society, a quality vividly expressed through quicksilver rhythms, brilliant melodic turns, and irresistible buoyancy. This arrangement was created for the Lieven Piano Foundation as a gift to the founders, Theo and Petra Lieven, and was premiered in the Steinway & Sons showroom in Vienna on August 14, 2024.

In this arrangement for four pianists at one piano (eight hands), the effervescent spirit of Strauss’s music is translated into a pianistic language that brings out both its precision and its playfulness. The density and interplay of multiple performers recreate the color and drive of the orchestra, while the closeness of the ensemble highlights the lightness and agility at the heart of the polka.

Balancing fidelity to the original with the possibilities of the keyboard, this version offers performers a vibrant challenge and audiences a fresh, exhilarating perspective on a Viennese classic—full of verve, clarity, and charm.