In 1866, Strauss was commissioned to write a work for the Wiener Männergesangverein. He wrote the waltz ‘An der schönen blauen Donau’, but at its premiere on 13 February 1867, this choral waltz had little success. It was only when the composer conducted the work at the World’s Fair in Paris in May 1867 that it became an incredible success. Arranger Johny Ocean adapted this famous waltz into a swinging and modern arrangement for concert band, fanfare and brass band entitled ‘The Swinging Blue Danube’!