Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) wrote FURIOSO POLKA, OP. 260, in 1861, at a time when these quick dances thrived in Viennese ballrooms. In the subtitle "quasi Galopp", he indicated that the piece should resemble a galop, another brisk dance in duple meter. Fluctuating between major and minor keys, a performance runs slightly over two minutes. The premiere took place at a charity concert at Vauxhall Pavilion in Pavlovsk Park near St. Petersburg on September 14, 1861, the composer at the baton. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp. Perc(2-3): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).