Nordseebilder

{{Infobox musical composition | name = ''Nordseebilder'' | composer = [[Johann Strauss II]] | image = File:Nordseebilder Johann Strauss op.390 August Cranz.jpg | image_size = 260px | caption = Cover of the piano score (Published by August Cranz) | key = | opus = 390 | form = [[Waltz]] | text = | language = | dedication = | composed = | vocal = | instrumental = }} ''' Nordseebilder ''' (''North Sea Pictures'') op. 390 is a [[waltz]] by [[Johann Strauss II]] composed in 1879.

This seascape [[waltz]] composition resulted from Strauss' visit to the [[North Frisia]]n island of [[Föhr]], when he and his second wife Angelika stayed in the town of Wyk during one of the holidays. The contrasting moods offered from living so close to the [[North Sea]] immediately galvanised Strauss' creative spirit which produced this mature work, capturing the sea storms as well as the strong gale all in 3/4 time.

Strauss' audiences in [[Vienna]] first heard the work when his brother [[Eduard Strauss]] conducted it at one of his concerts in the [[Musikverein]] on 16 November 1879. The waltz's slow introduction suggests a calm sea scene, while swirling waves are captured in later themes. The [[coda (music)|coda]] incorporates the 'sea storm' scene, with furious chords and fierce brass instruments suggesting the North Sea at the time of a severe [[gale]]. The first waltz theme is re-introduced before the work ends in a brilliant finish.

Waltz 1<score> \relative c' { \new PianoStaff << \new Staff { \key e \minor \time 3/4 << { s16 \slashedGrace b'8 s4 b4\rest a g b4\rest a \slashedGrace b8 s4 b4\rest a g b4\rest a b( d a) b( d g) \slashedGrace g8 s2. s \slashedGrace c,8 s4 b4\rest b a b4\rest b \slashedGrace c8 s4 b4\rest b a b4\rest b } \\ { s16 d4\p s4 d, b s d d'4 s4 d, b s d g2.~ g\< e'2.^~ e\! e4\p s4 e, c s e e'4 s4 e, c s e c'\f^( b'2^~) b a8-. fis-. a2.^( g4) b,4\rest b4\rest } >> } \new Dynamics { } \new Staff { \key e \minor \time 3/4 \clef bass << { s16 g,,4 s s g s s g s s g s s g s s g'( fis f) c s s b s s a s s a s s a s s a } \\ { s16 s4 <d g b> <d g b> s <d g b> <d g b> s <d g b> <d g b> s <d g b> <d g b> s <d g b> <d g b> g, r r s <g' c e> <g c e> s <e g d'> <e g d'> s <e a c> <e a c> s <e a c> <e a c> s <e a c> <e a c> s <e a c> <e a c> d <fis c' d> <fis c' d> d <fis c' d> <fis c' d> g <b d> <b d> g <b d> <b d> } >> } >> } </score>

==References== {{Peter Kemp}}

[[Category:Waltzes by Johann Strauss II]]