Since the level of the Danube is falling dangerously, a direct consequence of the ongoing painful climate crisis, and therefore no longer “inevitable” climate change, we reasonably begin to look back at that time, namely 1866, when Johann Strauss II, the younger (1825- 1899), was inspired by and composed the iconic waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” (“An der schönen blauen Donau”, no. 314). The waltz with which the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra “closes” its traditional and world-famous concert every New Year. Of course, nothing to do with the work of the also famous Romanian composer Iosif Ivanovich “Waves of the Danube” (“Valurile Dunarii”).

I. The “source of inspiration” of Johann Strauss II was a poem by the famous Hungarian writer Karl Isidor Beck, where the verse “to the beautiful blue Danube” is repeated in each stanza. But what did not apply and does not apply to the Danube in the Austrian region near Vienna, since there was no blue and is missing is striking. Let it be…

The “motivation” of Johann Strauss II to compose the waltz “On the beautiful blue Danube” was an invitation from the Vienna Association of Men’s Choirs, the predecessor of the Wiener Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, in the creation and operation of which a rich sponsor, Greek. Baron Nikolaos Dumbas’ “Mother Vienna” played a decisive role. In the same 1865, the obligations of Johann Strauss II prevented him from responding to the above-mentioned invitation, but his gratitude and respect for Nikolaos Dumba prompted him to finally compose the famous waltz for the next year of musical events, i.e. 1866

II. In its first form, the waltz “On the beautiful blue Danube” was performed on March 15, 1867 in the “Dianabadzal” in Vienna, causing a very sluggish, in the most condescending version, the reaction of the public. The composer, despite the initial disappointment, “believed” in his work. He rewrote it ab initio and almost ex nihilo within a month, and in the summer of 1867 exhibited it at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, the theme of which was “Science and Art”. At the beginning of the score, Johann Strauss II wrote a very “eloquent” dedication to Nikolaos Dumpas: “Dem Präsidenten, Herrn Nikolaos Doumpas, gewidt”. The continuation of the “glorious” waltz procession “over the beautiful blue Danube” is known, with the addition of information that even the great Johannes Brahms seemed to “envy” this glory: as they say, when years later the stepdaughter of Johann Strauss II, Alice von Meissner, met Johannes Brahms at one event and asked him to sign, as an autograph, on her fan, he limited himself to writing the first notes of the waltz “over the beautiful blue Danube.” “, adding to the sequel: “Unfortunately, it was not written by Johannes Brahms.”

Do we finally realize that the environmental crime that has been going on – and through our fault – for decades, has its victims not only for us, but, above all, for future generations?

III There is no doubt that every New Year’s Eve we will hear with increasing nostalgia the sounds of an irresistible waltz “on the beautiful blue Danube” performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. I’m talking about nostalgia, because due to the climate crisis, the Danube will never be as beautiful or as blue as Johann Strauss II “praised” it. And not only in Austria near Vienna – which, as indicated, never happened – but also along the entire “route” of its course. With accentuated melancholy this summer, the Danube showed its “revenge” for the destruction of its natural environment, “revealing” to us even the secrets that it had been hiding well at its bottom for many years, for example. “trunks” of warships of the Second World War.

IV. Will we find out what the ecological “devastation” is imposing, which “suddenly” began to unfold before our eyes in the Danube? Or will we simply reconcile ourselves to it, once again accepting our unmistakable “Mithridite” apathy and indifference? Do we finally realize that the environmental crime that has been going on – and through our fault – for decades, has its victims not only for us, but, above all, for future generations? And if not, by what right do we judge and decide, directly or indirectly, how can we pledge with impunity a future and an inheritance that does not belong to us exclusively and by “property”?

Unfortunately, with this “Epimetheus” logic, in a few years, probably Johann Strauss II’s waltz “on the beautiful blue Danube” will be replaced by a “gloomy” requiem for the “exodus sequence” of his once beautiful ecosystem, in which the title will fit:” Sic transit gloria pulchri caerulei Danubii” (“Thus passes the glory of the beautiful blue Danube”)…

* Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos is a former President of the Republic, Honorary Professor of Law at the National University of Kapodistrias in Athens.