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The New York Public Library, Berg Collection of
English and American Literature

"The Boz Waltzes" (1842).
These are arrangements for piano of six waltzes by the Viennese master of dance music, Josef Lanner, which were "performed by Dodworth's Band, at the grand Festival," that is, at the great social event of the 1842 New York social season, the "Boz Ball." The titles of the waltzes collected in this score ("Little Nell," "Samivel Veller, Sr.," "Nicholas Nickleby," etc.) were of course not Lanner's, but rather were inspired by the stupendous occasion, a musical tribute in 3/4 time to its honoree, "Chas. Dickens, Esq." In the event, it was apparently difficult to dance with any pleasure that evening because the Park Theatre was so horribly overcrowded. One guest of the ball recollected "a complete 'crush'" and "a sickly attempt at dancing, even though there was no room."

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