Émile Waldteufel

Charles Émile Waldteufel (; ; ; 9 December 1837 – 12 February 1915) was a French composer, pianist, and conductor known for his numerous popular salon pieces. Among his best known works is “Les Patineurs” (1882), known as “The Skater’s Waltz”. Life Waldteufel was born Charles Émile Lévy at 84 Grand’Rue in the centre of Strasbourg. From a Jewish Alsatian family of musicians, his grandfather, father, and two uncles were all dance musicians who had used the name “Waldteufel” (German for forest devil) professionally. His father, Lazare Levy, led a respected orchestra, and his brother Léon was a successful performer. When Léon won a place to study violin at the Conservatoire de Paris, the family followed him there. Waldteufel’s mother Flora Neubauer, originally from Bavaria, had been a student of Hummel and had met Haydn; she was also a keen singer and dancer. Waldteufel received his first lessons from his father and from the local musician Joseph Heyberger. After his arrival in Paris he could take classes from Laurent at the Conservatoire de Paris, followed by advanced studies under Marmontel. His appointment by Napoléon III as the musical director of the balls led him to participation