My transcription of a manuscript of this waltz held in the Wien Bibliothek im Rathaus.

According to the notes on the complete edition, some of the music is “borrowed” from a cellist who was flavour of the month in Vienna at the time. It explains some of the un-Strauss like melodies in the first three waltzes. Also according to these notes, the title does not refer to the medieval minnesänger but they don’t say what it does refer to. Is it a complete coincidence that Lanners “Die Troubadours” was first performed in the same month (June 1842) as this waltz?

It’s a pretty good waltz (but not as good as Die Troubadours!). I did it because Johann Strauss I is not well served by recordings, I found the manuscript and the complete edition recording is a bit flat.

CPE’s guide to playing JS1, based on no concrete evidence whatsoever –

1) Keep the speed up – I use a base speed of 200bpm. There are variations of course.
2) No schmaltz or gemütlichkeit – these should fizz.
3) Play what’s written, especially the dynamics and the dynamic contrasts – trust Strauss.
4) Do not play the three beats of the accompaniment all the same length – it just kills the feeling of movement. I shorten the second beat a little.
5) Keep it light – surprisingly Dorico/Noteperformer does it without help.