Joseph Labitzky
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Labitzky.jpg/220px-Labitzky.jpg)
Joseph Labitzky (Czech: Josef Labický; July 4, 1802 in Krásno – August 18, 1881 in Karlovy Vary) was a Bohemian composer, violinist, and conductor. He studied with Karl Veit in his youth.[1] Labitzky joined a traveling orchestra at age 14, and in 1820 took a position in an orchestra in Marienbad. In 1823-24 he was in Munich, and following this he toured Germany as a concert violinist. He put together his own orchestra in 1825, touring Vienna and Warsaw. He took a conducting position in Karlsbad in 1835, and his dance pieces became quite popular throughout Europe, including England. He was involved in "Cocks vs Purday", a British court case concerning copyright.[2] He was the father of August Labitzky.
Labitzky composed over 300 dance pieces, though he would be overshadowed by Johann Strauss later in his life.
Selected works
- L'adieu: Romance sans paroles for viola and piano, Op.286 (1872)
References
Andrew Lamb, "Joseph Labitzky". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: Macmillan, 2001.
Web sources
External links