The Waltz King, Johann Baptist Strauss II (1825–1899): a psychobiography from a componential creativity perspective

• Published in: Cogent arts & humanities 2024-12, Vol.11 (1)
• Main Authors: Fouché, Paul J. P., Strauss, Elmé
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: componential model of creativity; Composers; Creativity; Johann Baptist Strauss II; Musicians & conductors; Psychobiography; Psychological Science; Samuel Adu-Gyamf i, History and Political Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology College of Arts and Social Science, Kumasi, Ghana; Waltz King
• ISSN: 2331-1983; 2331-1983
• DOI: 10.1080/23311983.2024.2335772

This psychobiography was undertaken on the creative life of the eminent composer Johann Baptist Strauss II (1825–1899). As an Austrian violinist, conductor, and composer he produced acclaimed waltzes, quadrilles, polkas and devoted time to operettas and ballets. He was dubbed the ‘Waltz King’ after he composed the ‘The Blue Danube’. Psychobiography is rooted in the constructivist-interpretivist paradigm and involves a longitudinal and in-depth case study of an exceptional individual. Strauss was selected as psychobiographical subject through non-probability purposive sampling. The researchers uncovered and reconstructed Strauss’s creative life by utilising the Componential Model of Creativity (CMC) proposed by Teresa Amabile. Alexander’s proposed indicators of thematic salience were utilised to assist in demarcating the vast amount of publicly available primary and secondary biographical and historical literature on Strauss. The constructs of the model, by Teresa Amabilei, (CMC) consist of (a) domain-relevant skills, (b) creativity-relevant processes, (c) intrinsic motivation, (d) synergistic extrinsic motivation, (e) work orientation, (f) affect, and (g) finding meaning. Most of the constructs were found to align with the life and personality of Strauss. This was determined by a preliminary literature review of the historical and biographical information across the lifespan of Strauss. Findings indicate that Strauss’s creativity, as composer and conductor of light music, was well illustrated and explained by the constructs of Amabile’s model. This article highlights the relevance of psychobiographical case-study in understanding the lives of significant people, particularly those individuals who made contributions to the classical music industry. Using the CMC allowed the researchers to furthermore describe and explain how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence creative output of individuals, providing a broader understanding of creativity.