It is probably the most famous and most played march in the world: Army March II, better known as “Radetzky March”, dedicated to Field Marshal Josef Wenzel Count Radetzky of Radetz.
This is not least due to its distinctive rhythm (datadám datadám datadámdamdám), which often has mocking lyrics (“When the heart in the chest exerts its tone” or “When the pug with the treats over gutter sprints”).
The march consists of three parts, the third being equal to the first. For the trio Johann Strauss (father) used an older Viennese folk melody, the “Tinerl-Lied”.
The Radetzky March was world-famous through the Vienna New Year’s Concerts. But this work was never intended as an elitist cultural asset for the better society, but as music for “everyone”.
On this video with the Dutch violinist A. Ríeu you can see how this music can inspire people today! And I think with this kind of performance he comes much closer to the carnival concerts of a J. Strauss and the Viennese ball society of his time than many academic performances of our days.