Strauss, Eduard I

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Strauss, Eduard I (b Vienna, 1835; d Vienna, 1916). Austrian composer and conductor, youngest son of Johann Strauss I. Played hp. in brother Johann Strauss II's orch. Début as cond. 1862, succeeding brother at St Petersburg 1865. In 1872 took over conductorship of court balls which Johann had held since 1863. Took Strauss orch. to London 1885, disbanded it 1901. Wrote over 300 dances, many of them polkas. In 1907 burned all original MSS of Strauss family because he believed world no longer deserved to possess them. Thus many waltzes have been preserved only in pf. reductions.