Demolierer-Polka (Demolition Men's Polka) op. 269 is a polka written by Johann Strauss II in 1862. The title chronicled a significant milestone in the history of

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

, where earlier on 20 December 1857,

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

n emperor

Franz Josef Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I (german: Franz Joseph Karl, hu, Ferenc József Károly, 18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the other states of the Habsburg monarchy from 2 December 1848 until his ...

decreed that the city limits of the capital be expanded to cater to the further needs of a blooming and prosperous city. This would include the demolition of the ancient bastions surrounding the old inner city by scores of demolition men recruited from the Habsburg crownlands of Bohemia,

Moravia Moravia ( , also , ; cs, Morava ; german: link=yes, Mähren ; pl, Morawy ; szl, Morawa; la, Moravia) is a historical region in the east of the Czech Republic and one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The m ...

and

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

. This project would incorporate many of

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

's suburbs and the removal of the medieval fortifications were replaced by the magnificent Ring boulevard with parks, gardens and many other structures of architecture grandeur. Strauss' famous polka was first performed at a soirée in the 'Sperl' ballroom alongside his waltz

Karnevalsbotschafter ''Karnevalsbotschafter'' (Carnival's Ambassador) op. 270 is a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in the autumn of 1862 during his honeymoon with his first wife Henrietta Treffz in Venice. It was first performed at the 50th anniversary celebrati ...

op. 270 on 22 November 1862. The polka does not, however, suggest anything from its unconventional title although it never runs out of typical Strauss good-humor and gaiety.

References

{{Authority control Compositions by Johann Strauss II Polkas Compositions set in Vienna 19th century in Vienna