Labitzky, Joseph

1802-1881

Violinist and composer of dancemusic. He was born at Schonfeld,  Bohemia, and received his first violin instruction from Veit at Petschau and composition from Winter in Munich. In 1820 he was given a place as first violin in the orchestra at Marienbad, the next year holding the same at Carlsbad. He organized a band of his own and made many tours, going to St. Petersburg and London, scoring much success. His work has been compared favorably with Lanner and Strauss. The best of his waltzes are Sirenen, Grenzboten, Aurora, Carlsbader, and Lichtensteiner. He died in Carlsbad.