Editing Demolirer-Polka (section)

''' Demolierer-Polka ''' (Demolition Men's Polka) op. 269 is a [[polka]] written by [[Johann Strauss II]] in 1862. The title chronicled a significant milestone in the history of [[Vienna]], where earlier on 20 December 1857, [[Austria]]n emperor [[Franz Joseph I of Austria|Franz Josef]] decreed that the city limits of the capital be expanded to cater to the further needs of a blooming and prosperous city. This would include the demolition of the ancient bastions surrounding the old inner city by scores of demolition men recruited from the [[Habsburg]] crownlands of [[Bohemia]], [[Moravia]] and [[Croatia]]. This project would incorporate many of [[Vienna]]'s suburbs and the removal of the medieval fortifications were replaced by the magnificent [[Vienna Ring Road]] with parks, gardens and many other structures of architectural grandeur.

Strauss' famous polka was first performed at a soirée in the 'Sperl' ballroom alongside his waltz [[Karnevalsbotschafter]] op. 270 on 22 November 1862. The polka does not, however, suggest anything from its unconventional title although it never runs out of typical Strauss good-humor and gaiety.