Johann Strauss II

Son of famed composer Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II followed in his father's footsteps, much to his father's dismay. Strauss senior wanted his son to become a banker, but he followed his dreams and became one of the most popular composers of light music in his day. A native Austrian, Strauss II is hailed with popularizing the waltz style to the extent that it was in Vienna during the 19th century. His body of work was comprised of over 500 waltzes, polkas and quadrilles were also accompanied by a ballet and several operettas.