The waltz 'An der schönen blauen Donau' was one of Strauß's greatest masterpieces. Ever since the incredible success Strauß enjoyed a few months after the world premiere at the Paris International Exposition in 1867, the work has beaten all records, and up to the present day one cannot imagine concert programmes without the 'Blue Danube Waltz'. The waltz 'Künstlerleben' dates back to the same year of success.