Editing Johann Strauss II (section)

== Musical rivals and admirers ==
[[File:Strauss und Brahms.jpg|thumb|upright|Strauss and [[Johannes Brahms]] photographed in Vienna]]

Although Strauss was the most sought-after composer of dance music in the latter half of the 19th century, [[Carl Michael Ziehrer]] and [[Émile Waldteufel]] provided stiff competition; the latter held a commanding position in Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naxos.com/person/Emile_Waldteufel/22394.htm|title=Émile Waldteufel- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music.|website=www.naxos.com}}</ref> Also, [[Philipp Fahrbach Sr.|Philipp Fahrbach]] denied the younger Strauss the commanding position of the ''KK Hofballmusikdirektor'' when the latter first applied for the post. The German operetta composer [[Jacques Offenbach]], who made his name in Paris, also posed a challenge to Strauss in the [[operetta]] field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrehistory.com/misc/vienneseoperetta.html|title=The Viennese Operetta|access-date=14 April 2009}}</ref>

Strauss was admired by other prominent composers: [[Richard Wagner]] once admitted that he liked the waltz "[[Wein, Weib und Gesang]]" (Wine, Women and Song) Op.&nbsp;333.{{sfn|Jacob|1940|p=226}} [[Richard Strauss]] (unrelated), when writing his ''[[Der Rosenkavalier|Rosenkavalier]]'' waltzes, said in reference to Johann Strauss, "How could I forget the laughing genius of Vienna?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viennaticket.com/viennatickets/?p=10 |title=Vienna Tickets – Johann Strauss |access-date=3 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Johannes Brahms]] was a personal friend of Strauss; the latter dedicated his waltz "[[Seid umschlungen, Millionen!]]" ("Be Embraced, You Millions!"), Op.&nbsp;443, to him.<ref>{{cite book|title=Seid umschlungen, Millionen!|first=Norbert|last=Rubey|publisher=Diletto Musicale, Doblinger}}</ref> A story is told in biographies of both men that Strauss's wife Adele approached Brahms with a customary request that he autograph her fan. It was usual for the composer to inscribe a few measures of his best-known music, and then sign his name. Brahms, however, inscribed a few measures from the "Blue Danube", and then wrote beneath it: "Unfortunately, NOT by Johannes Brahms."{{sfn|Jacob|1940|p=227}}