Lanner, Josef#
b. Vienna, April 12, 1801, d. Vienna, April 14, 1843, famous violinist in dance band, conductor and composer of the Austrian Biedermeier period. Began as violinist in the dance band of M. Pamer, then formed his own band (1824) in which J. Strauss the Elder played and which was expanded into an orchestra within a few years; 1829 musical director of court balls. He and J. Strauss the Elder are the real founders of the Viennese Waltz; they made the simple dance a separate genre between light and more serious music.
Works (208 pieces): Waltzes (Die Schoenbrunner, Hofballtaenze, Die
Werber), laendler, galops, cotillons; piano music. - Editions:
Complete works, ed. by E. Kremser, 14 vols., 1888/1889; Waltzes
(complete), 1889-1892; selected dances, ed. by O. Bie, 1920; Laendler
and Waltzes, 1926; Waltzes, ed. by P. Angerer, 1998.
Literature#
F. Lange, J. L. und J. Strauss, 1904; A. Weinmann, Werkverzeichnis, 1948; H. Krenn, Lenzblueten, 1994; O. Brusatti, J. L., Compositeur, Entertainer und Musikgenie, 2001.