Joseph Labitzky

Joseph Labitzky (In Czech "Josef Labický": born July 4, 1802 in Krásno (Sokolov District); died August 18. 1881 in Karlovy Vary) was a Bohemian composer, violinist, and conductor. He studied with Karl Veit in his youth. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=GZgYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Joseph+Labitzky&dq=%22Joseph+Labitzky&pgis=1 The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians By Sadie, Stanley] ] 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. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZkQwAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA3-PA864-IA1&dq=%22Joseph+Labitzky&lr=&as_brr=3#PRA3-PA860,M1 Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the English Courts of Common Law] ] He was the father of August Labitzky.

Labitzky composer over 300 dance pieces, though he would be overshadowed by Johann Strauss later in his life.

References

Andrew Lamb, "Joseph Labitzky". "The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians". London: Macmillan, 2001.

Web sources