Waldteufel for kids: his life, his music, and what to play first

Émile Waldteufel was a French composer who lived from 1837 to 1915. He wrote dance music: waltzes, polkas, and galops for the ballrooms of Paris. His best-known piece is The Skaters’ Waltz, which glides along in long, smooth lines and jingles with sleigh bells. It is the best first piece for a child.

Quick facts

• Born: 1837, in Strasbourg, France
• Died: 1915, in Paris, France
• Era: Romantic
• Played: piano
• Known for: The Skaters’ Waltz, “España,” and “Estudiantina”

The life in short

Waldteufel came from a family of dance musicians. His father led an orchestra in Strasbourg, and his brother played the violin. The family name is German and means “forest devil.”

When Émile was a boy, the family moved to Paris so that his brother could study at the Conservatory. Émile entered it too, as a piano student.

After his studies, he worked in a piano factory, gave lessons, and played at parties. His father’s orchestra had become one of the most popular in Paris, and Émile wrote dances for it.

At 27, he was named the court pianist to Empress Eugénie, the wife of the French emperor. He led the music at the grand balls of the court.

For years, his music was known only in Paris. That changed in 1874. The Prince of Wales, the future king of England, heard one of his waltzes at a party and asked to meet him. The prince helped him find a publisher in London. Waldteufel’s waltzes were soon played across Europe and America.

He wrote his biggest hits in the next ten years, The Skaters’ Waltz among them. He conducted in London, Berlin, and Paris, and he kept composing until he retired at about 60.

What the music sounds like

A waltz has three beats in a bar: one strong and two light. Dancers turn as they glide around the floor.

Waldteufel’s waltzes are gentle and graceful. They are softer and more dreamy than the waltzes of the Strauss family in Vienna. Each one is a chain of four or five waltz tunes, with a slow introduction and a rousing finish.

He composed at the piano and wrote the orchestra parts later.

Pieces to play first

The Skaters’ Waltz. Its French title is “Les Patineurs.” A horn call opens the scene. Then the violins glide into the tune in long, even notes that suit the push and glide of skates. Sleigh bells ring partway through.

“España.” A bright waltz built on Spanish tunes. He borrowed them from an orchestra piece by another French composer, Emmanuel Chabrier.

“Estudiantina.” A cheerful waltz with the sound of a student band from Spain.

“Très jolie.” One of his most graceful waltzes.

Things to do together

Sock skating. Put on socks and slide on a smooth floor. Push on beat one and glide on beats two and three.

Find the bells. Raise a hand when the sleigh bells start in The Skaters’ Waltz.

Count in threes. Clap on beat one and tap your knees on beats two and three. Keep it going through a whole tune.

Paris or Vienna? Play The Skaters’ Waltz and then “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II. Ask which one is smoother and which has more bounce. Read Johann Strauss II for kids.

Why skaters?

In the 1870s and 1880s, ice skating was a fashion in Paris. People skated on frozen ponds in the big parks in winter. Waldteufel’s waltz paints that scene.

Print and play

Fill in a composer study notebook page for Waldteufel. For more winter music, see winter classical music for kids and Christmas classical music for kids. For more music to move to, read classical music for kids to dance to.

For more composers by era, see classical composers for kids.