Waldteufel
Waldteufel, Emil (1848-1915), is a
French composer, who was
born in Strasbourg and died in Paris. The name is of German origin, meaning
"Wood-Devil", as Waldteufels' birthplace, Strasbourg, is in Alsace,
which is a German-speaking area of France.
After his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, he was court
pianist and director of balls to Napoleon III. In 1874 the Prince of Wales
introduced his music to England, and his orchestra performed his music at
Buckingham Palace for Queen Victoria. After this he acquired international fame
as a composer of waltzes, including the Skaters' Waltz and The Grenadiers.