'The Schrammeln': A Quartet, a Music Style, and a History of Urban Popularity in Late 19th Century Vienna

• In Event: Habsburg-Pop: Musical Markets and Multiculturalism in the Late Habsburg Empire

Abstract

Over the course of roughly 10 years the brothers, violinists and composers Johann and Josef Schrammel, together with clarinetist Georg Dänzer and guitarist Anton Strohmayer became widely popular as “Die Schrammeln”, went on tour, and even played in front of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Their style of Viennese folk music was and is therefore known as “Schrammelmusik”. This presentation is dedicated to the factors that made them popular and the question of whether it is justified to call these folk musicians pop stars of the 19th century.

Author

• Tanja Weber, U of Vienna (Austria)