Waltz-The waltz An der schönen blauen Donau was one of Strauss's greatest masterpieces. Ever since the incredible success Strauss enjoyed a few months after the world premiere at the Paris International Exposition in 1867 the work has beaten all records and up to the present day one cannot imagine concert programmes without the Blue Danube Waltz. The waltz Künstlerleben dates back to the same year of success.