The only Bandmaster-of-the-Army of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was Andreas Leonhardt (1800-1866)
who was musically educated in Vienna, Bratislava and Naples. He served in different regiments and was stationed in
Naples, northern Italy and later in Graz where he attracted attention as a foremost regimental bandmaster on
account of his activities. His honorary membership of the Philharmonic Societies of Bologna and Modena must
therefore be construed as an especial token of musical achievement. In 1850 he was transferred to Vienna on
special assignment and one year later he was appointed Bandmaster-of-the-Army. He remained in this position until
his retirement in 1862 and did an extraordinarily fine job in this office for the benefit of band music of the Austro-
Hungarian monarchy. One of the most popular of his model marches that were composed by him is “Prinz
Eugen” (“Prince Eugene”), and above all, it is a march of European dimensions.
