Emil Waldteufel - His Music and His Life

Emil Waldteufel was born in Strasbourg/France on December 9, 1837 and became a ball conductor at the court of Napoleon III and a chamber pianist of the Emperor Eugenie, married to Napoleon III in 1853.

Waldteufel "transplanted" the Vienna Waltz to Paris. He composed pretty much as the King of Waltz Johann Strauss, but Waldteufel never reached the same melody volume and profoundation.

Among his famous workds which are still on air from time to time are the waltzes "Schlittschuhlaeufer" (The Skater) and "Sirenenzauber" (Siren's Magic) as well as "Espana".

Emil Waldteufel passed away in Paris on February 16, 1915.