At the zenith of his career Labitzsky was known for his waltz compositions (over three hundred dances) but during the nadir could not achieve the success and merits of a Strauss or Gungl. He studied the violin with Karl Veit and when he was fourteen joined a traveling orchestra. As a violinist in Marienbad he worked other jobs as well so that he could go to Munich (1823-24) and study further. He went on tour in 1824-5 finally founding his own orchestra which traveled throughout Europe and became quite reputable. This company helped him gain the position of director of the orchestra at a spa in Karlsbad where his popularity and fame continued to prosper. The dance compositions, noted for their stirring rhythms but not for their melodic content, achieved acclaim. Noted waltzes composed by Labitzky included "Paulinen-Walzer" and "Aurora-Walzer." He gave the baton of the orchestra in Karlsbad to his son in 1868. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi