Johann Amerhauser

In den Bergen

With the waltz "In den Bergen," Austrian composer Johann Amerhauser created a musical tribute to his wife Erika and her friend Irmi. Week after week, these two avid mountain hikers are drawn out into the Alpine wilderness—a passion that inspired the composer to write this atmospheric piece. After just a few measures, the waltz reveals its unmistakable character. The music combines the cozy charm of a traditional Ländler with subtle Bavarian influences, unmistakably revealing its creator’s origins in the Bavarian-Austrian border region. Catchy melodies and lovingly crafted themes evoke images of blooming alpine meadows, scenic peaks, and convivial breaks at mountain huts. Pavol Prostredný is responsible for the orchestral arrangement, skillfully adapting the waltz’s folk-inspired core to the wind orchestra with great sensitivity. The result is a rich-sounding waltz full of naturalness, warmth, and Alpine joie de vivre—a work that immediately catches the ear and lingers long in the memory.