Radetzky-Marsch, op. 228

Strauss the elder wrote the Radetzky March in 1848 and conducted it in Vienna on 31 August that year, at a festival for officers returning from the Italian campaign, in honour of Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky's victory at Custoza. The revolution of that year had split Vienna's musicians politically; the march placed Strauss firmly on the imperial side and cost him part of his audience. Two of its melodies come from soldiers' songs then in circulation. Since 1946 it has closed the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year concert, with the audience clapping along.