Émile Waldteufel (1837-1915)

Les Patineurs, Op. 183 (The Skaters’ Waltz)

In 1882, the French composer drew inspiration from an ice-skating rink at a large park (known as Bois de Boulogne) in Paris, to create one of the most iconic waltzes. Similar to Strauss, Waldteufel was also a prolific composer of dance music such as waltzes and polkas, and of over 200 of his abundant number of compositions, The Skaters’ Waltz remains as one of his best-known piece of work. Waldteufel's works can be distinguished from Strauss's waltzes and polkas in that he placed much more emphasis on smooth gentle phrases and running scales that are constantly being exchanged between voices, unlike Strauss, who focused on producing a broad and grand waltz, with great emphasis on the waltz beats, which can be clearly felt in The Blue Danube.

The bright and brilliant introductory running scales is likened to the graceful form of a skater getting ready to skate. Almost like Strauss’ The Blue Danube, Waldteuful not only ties together four unique themes that bring forth the essence of winter, but he also concludes his famous work by revisiting his first theme, albeit with a much fuller and grander sound.