I couldn’t lavish my usual love on Krampus this year, because Krampus Night, December 6, fell on a weekend, and I had to give preference to promoting my radio shows. I know, what a drag.

Thankfully, only days after St. Nicholas’ dark helper was unleashed upon the naughty children of the world to lash them and toss them into hellfire comes the birthday of Emil Waldteufel. Waldteufel is German for “Forest Devil.” He was born on this date in 1837.

Although Waldteufel had long been a mainstay of Paris society balls of the Second Empire, he was nearly 40 by the time he achieved international fame. It was the Prince of Wales – the future King Edward VII – who introduced him to London, and his music came to dominate Queen Victoria’s state balls at Buckingham Palace. One of his best-known works, “Les Patineurs” (“The Skaters’ Waltz”) was introduced there in 1882. Another of his most successful waltzes, from the other end of the decade, was “Roses de Noël” (“Christmas Roses”).

The holidays are in bloom! Take some time to smell the roses with Emil Waldteufel.

“The Skaters’ Waltz”

“Roses de Noël”

Because of the unusual nature of the conductor, in period costume and facial hair, to this I add the Rimsky-Korsakov Central Navy Band of Russia playing “Estudiantina”

Happy birthday, Waldteufel, you devil.