Promotionen (''Graduations''), Op. 221, is the name of a waltz composed by

Johann Strauss II Johann Baptist Strauss II (25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger or the Son (german: links=no, Sohn), was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed ov ...

. It was dedicated to the law students at

Vienna University The University of Vienna (german: Universität Wien) is a public university, public research university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the Geogra ...

, and was first performed under the title of ''Die Präparanden'', a term referring to students who are preparing for their final examinations. The waltz was not very successful when first performed in the Sofienbad-Saal on February 8, 1859: the ''Fremden-Blatt'', although praising the execution of the waltz, said that it "lacked the rhythm and melody of older Strauss compositions." However, a reviewer for the ''Wiener Allgemeine Theaterzeitung'' was less critical of the composition, commenting that "in particular the first, third and fifth altz sectionsare rich in fresh and attractive melodies ..through this composition Strauss has lately demonstrated that he still has at his disposal a profusion of piquant and original melodies." The ''Promotionen'' waltz soon fell out of the Strauss Orchestra's repertoire, but the composer later resurrected one of its melodies (Waltz 5A) for his composition ''

Farewell to America ''Farewell to America'' (Opus number, w/o op.) is the name of a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II. In the immediate wake of the composer's visit to the United States in the summer of 1872, when he conducted several times in Boston and New York Cit ...

'', which was written a decade later.

References

Waltzes by Johann Strauss II 1859 compositions {{Classical-composition-stub