Born in Austria, Johannes Wildner studied conducting, violin and musicology and has established himself as one of the foremost Austrian conductors. His years of experience as a member of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra have given his conducting a distinctive stamp. After positions as chief conductor of Prague State Opera and first permanent conductor of Leipzig Opera, Johannes Wildner was the general music director of the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Westphalia (Germany) for ten years from 1997. He has been principal guest conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in London since 2010.

Johannes Wildner has recorded over sixty CDs, DVDs and videos. His most recent release is Robert Schumann’s complete works for piano and orchestra, with pianist Lev Vinocour and the RSO Vienna.

It was as a violinist in the dance orchestra of Michael Pamer that Joseph Lanner struck up a relationship with the older Johann Strauss, who played the viola in Pamer’s band. Lanner left in 1818 to establish a trio, which was augmented by Strauss in 1819, subsequently expanded into a string quintet, and finally, in 1824, became a full dance orchestra. The popularity of the ensemble became such that Lanner was compelled to divide the orchestra; one group was led by Johann Strauss, who broke away to lead his own dance orchestra. Until his early death in 1843 Lanner continued to enjoy equal popularity with Strauss.

Dance Music

Credit must go to Lanner for his share in popularising the Viennese waltz. He also wrote galops, Ländler and other dances.