Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899) wrote the KAISER-WALZER, Op. 437 (EMPEROR WALTZES) to celebrate the toast of friendship that Franz Joseph I extended when he visited Wilhelm II in 1889.  Fritz Simrock, his publisher, diplomatically suggested the name of the waltz so that it could be attributed to either emperor, depending on the circumstances of each performance.  Originally titled HAND IN HAND, its first performance took place on October 21 of that year in Berlin.  In character with the affluent nature of its subjects, the EMPEROR WALTZ sways with pomposity and grandeur. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(2-3): Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Reprint edition.