Johann Strauss was a Viennese composer, conductor, and violinist.  The Strauss family is one of many musical geniuses, and in fact Johann Strauss The Father (also known as the elder Strauss) is the lesser known of the two Johann Strausses (the other being his first-born son, The Waltz King). 

At a young age, the elder Strauss was fascinated with the music made by wandering tavern musicians who worked along the Danube close to where he was born.  He became a restaurant musician and even signed a six year contract with Zum Sperlbauer (also known as Sperl). Nearly one fourth of Strauss’ 250 works were premiered around these areas. Strauss was known for keeping busy and during the two months of the 1848 Vienna Carnival, he conducted at 125 balls and composed eight new compositions. The European Revolution that began in Vienna in 1848 caused Johann Strauss senior and junior to be on opposite sides. “While the younger Johann sided with the students and revolutionaries in opposing the unyielding autocracy of the Austrian Chancellor Metternich, the elder Johann openly supported the established order.” [Grove Music Online] 

The Radetzky March is a testament to the Elder Strauss’ beliefs.  It was dedicated to the Austrian army.  The piece was to be premiered on September 22 of 1849 at a banquet held in honor of Field-Marshal Radetzky, but Strauss failed to appear.  It was later explained by the publisher of the unfinished manuscript: “During the instrumentation of the march Strauss Father became ill with scarlet fever and died three days later.”