Demolirer-Polka (Demolition Men's Polka) op. 269 is a
polka written by
Johann Strauss II in
1862. The title chronicled a significant milestone in the history of
Vienna where earlier on
20 December 1857,
Austrian emperor
Franz Josef decreed that the city limits of the capital be expanded to cater to the further needs of a blooming and prosperous city. This would include the demolition of the ancient bastions surrounding the old inner city by scores of demolition men recruited from the
Habsburg crownlands of
Bohemia,
Moravia and
Croatia. This project would incorporate many of
Vienna's suburbs and the removal of the medieval fortifications were replaced by the magnificent Ring boulevard with parks, gardens and many other structures of architecture grandeur.
Strauss' famous polka was first performed at a soirée in the 'Sperl' ballroom alongside his waltz Karnevalsbotschafter op. 270 on 22 November 1862. The polka does not, however, suggest anything from its unconventional title although it never runs out of typical Strauss good-humor and gaiety.
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