Waldteufel (Born Lévy), (Charles-) Émile

French conductor and composer of light music; b. Strasbourg, Dec. 9, 1837; d. Paris, Feb. 12, 1915. His father, Louis (1801-84), and his brother, Léon (1832-84), were violinists and dance composers, and his mother was a pianist. In 1842 the family went to Paris, where he studied piano with his mother and then with Joseph Heyberger. He subsequently audited a class at the Paris Conservatory, enrolling as a student there in 1853, but leaving before completing his courses.

Waldteufel became a piano tester for the manufacturer Scholtus. He also taught piano and played in soirées and, when he had time, composed dance music for salons. In 1865 he became court pianist to the Empress Eugénie and in 1866 conductor of the state balls.

Waldteufels first WALTZ, Joies et peines, published at his own expense in 1859, was an immediate success, and he became known in Paris high society. In 1867 he published another successful waltz with the German title Vergissmeinnicht. Then followed a series of waltzes that established his fame as a French counterpart to JOHANN STRAUSS (II), the most famous being Les Patineurs (The Skaters; 1882). His dance music symbolized the gai Paris of his time as fittingly as the music of Strauss reflected the gaiety of old Vienna.

Waldteufel lived most of his life in Paris, but he also filled conducting engagements abroad, visiting London in 1885 and Berlin in 1889.