FRANZ VON BLON  

Franz von Blon (1861-1945) saw marches more as concert pieces than as music to help soldiers keep in step. Although little recorded, he is regarded, along with Carl Teike, as among the finest German march composers. He studied at the Stern Conservatory and was one of six promising violinists who were granted private lessons with Joseph Joachim. He worked as an orchestral leader and conductor, and composed a large number of works in a wide range of genres, not least music for wind orchestra.