Joseph Lanner

Joseph Lanner was a dance composer and violinist who was essentially self-taught. At the age of twelve he joined Pamer's dance orchestra who was already known as a composer of the `landler' -- the predecessor to the Viennese Waltzes of Lanner and Strauss. Lanner's early dances were composed much in the same style as those of Pamer with a slow pace and an emphasis on every beat of the 3/4 time measure. Johann Strauss was the violist in Pamer's orchestra. Lanner formed a trio with the Drahanek brothers (two violins and a guitar) which Strauss joined in the next year. The group e...