For Johann Strauss II’s 200th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency, Vienna is embarking on a mission of cosmic proportions – sending The Blue Danube Waltz to its destined home among the stars.
In our collective imagination, The Blue Danube Waltz has long been celebrated as the ultimate Anthem of Space – famously immortalized in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yet, surprisingly, this iconic waltz was not included on either of the Voyager Golden Records – a collection of humanity’s greatest achievements that was sent by NASA to reach potential extraterrestrial life back in 1977.
This mission is both a tribute to the past and a testament to the future – a Viennese Waltz that will echo through space forever.
Live Event: The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II in space
On 31.5.2025 Vienna is setting the record straight. Through the combined efforts of the prestigious Wiener Symphoniker (Vienna Symphony Orchestra) and in close collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), The Blue Danube Waltz will be broadcast to the farthest reaches of the universe, creating a timeless musical bridge between humanity and potential life forms out there.
Every single note from The Blue Danube Waltz has already been claimed by 13743 SpaceNote ambassadors from all around the world. Watch as this musical masterpiece embarks on its journey on 31.5.2025, 21:30 MESZ.
Performed by the Wiener Symphoniker at the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts) in Vienna, Austria, the definitive Anthem of Space will be transmitted towards Voyager 1 by ESA’s Deep Space Antenna located in Cebreros, Spain.
Johann Strauss II and Vienna
Vienna, the world’s capital of music, is located in the heart of Europe. Its historic concert halls, prestigious ball events, and visionaries like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss II have shaped a vibrant cultural legacy of creativity and excellence.
Born into a renowned Viennese musical family in 1825, Johann Strauss II, celebrated as The King of Waltz, had the charisma and reach that it took to become the world’s first real pop star. His masterpiece, The Blue Danube Waltz, beautifully embodies Vienna’s spirit – a harmonious blend of grace, tradition, and a timeless testament to the city. Each year, the composition takes center stage at the iconic New Year’s Concert that is watched by millions worldwide.