Credits:

Christian Simonis

Description:

Josef Gungl (18101889) was a Hungarian conductor and composer. He initially made his name as an oboist and later became the bandmaster of the 4th Austrian Artillery Regiment. It was there that he composed his first work, the Hungarian March, which brought him to prominence. In 1843, he organized an orchestra in Berlin and gained such popularity that he led the ensemble on a concert tour of the United States from 1848 to 1849 (Other musicians who pursued similar careers include the Prussian-born Benjamin Birze and Richard Eilenberg; CDs by both have been released by CPO.) Gungel continued to tour various countries thereafter and is said to have achieved great success, particularly during a series of concerts in London in 1873. He composed no fewer than 436 waltzes, dance pieces, and marches during his lifetime, all of which feature light, airy melodies and lively rhythms. This collection al