This waltz was taken from Johann Strauss II's operetta Simplicius, which features a story mixing religion, war (it takes place during the Thirty Years' War), and love. The work has been generally regarded as Strauss' greatest failure among his stage compositions, and even the score seemed to have been lost for a time. However, Simplicius has recently been revived and now enjoys a measure of popularity. Donauweibchen is one of its more popular numbers, but its lighter manner may seem somewhat at odds with the more serious subject matter of the operetta, a work Strauss considered more operatic in nature than any of his other operettas. This charming number opens with a lengthy introduction of playful character, after which follows an infectious waltz theme whose unhurried gait and emphatic rhythmic strides give the music a sort of confident nonchalance. A second theme soon appears that maintains the same lighthearted mood. Later, variants on previous material exhibit an equally spirited manner before the main theme returns and leads to the charming coda. Lasting about nine minutes, this waltz will especially appeal to light classics lovers and Strauss family enthusiasts.

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