Stravinsky once commented about how Vivaldi, to his ears, wrote the same concerto again and again. To some listeners, Johann Strauss II turned out the same waltzes and polkas over and over again, too, as if possessed of some clever, self-generating recycle formula. The fact is Strauss' works were as varied within their light-music realm as those of most other well-known serious composers. This waltz, Joy of Living, not only stakes out its own individual sound world in the outer sections, but has several interior parts of distinct character, perhaps even of quite memorable quality. That said, the whole piece is nevertheless light and jovial in mood, from the opening tympani strokes that seem to announce something ceremonial, to the waltz themes and variants that permeate the work. While the main theme cannot rank with some of Strauss' best in the waltz genre, it is nevertheless attractive in its carefree grace and Viennese elegance. The ensuing thematic offshoots are full of deft touches, the middle section being of particular charm. The main theme returns near the end in quite the same instrumentation and is followed by its joyful secondary subjects before the brief, festive coda closes out this approximately eight-minute work.

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