Karl Komzák

Czech-Austrian composer, conductor and bandmaster (born November 8, 1850 in Prague, Bohemia – died April 23, 1905 in Baden near Wien, Austria)

Komzák was the son of [a7145682] (1823-1893), who was also a military bandmaster and composer. Komzák's own son was [a7143628] (1878-1924).

A graduate of the Prague conservatory, Komzák joined the band of Infantry Regiment Nr. 11, which was led by his father, in 1869. In 1871, he became bandmaster of the 7th Infantry Regiment in Innsbruck. In 1873, he also began directing the "Innsbrucker Liedertafel" choir.

In 1882, Komzák was appointed bandmaster of the recently established Infantry Regiment Nr. 84 in Vienna. Within two years, the regiment's band became so popular that it was invited to play at court. In 1887, Komzäk composed one of his most popular marches, the "Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch," dedicated to Field Marshall Archduke Albrecht, who was also the Inspector General of the Austro-Hungarian Army. In 1888, Komzäk and his band played at the National Arts and Crafts Exhibition in Munich, Bavaria. In 1890, he became the first bandmaster in Austro-Hungary who switched from the usual high tuning of his band instruments to regular tuning.

In 1892, he took leave from his military post for health reasons and moved to the spa Baden near Vienna, where he became director of the spa orchestra in 1893. He resigned from his military position at the end of 1895. Komzák died in a railway accident in 1905.

To his best known compositions belong:

Waltzes: Bad'ner Mad'ln, An der schönen, grünen Naranta, Fideles Wien

Marches: 84er Regimentsmarsch, Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch, Vindobona-Marsch

Galops: Sturmgalopp

Volksoper: Edelweiss