I was wondering if there was a connection between Franz Josef Wagner and Richard Wagner (1813–1883). The only Franz Josef I could find is currently employed as a columnist for Axel Springer Verlag. I dunno.... maybe the same guy, hey? Richard was a darling of the extreme right, as is Axel Springer....-Joe-
I found a brief biography of Franz Josef at marchdb.net:
Josef Franz Wagner
20 March 1856 - 5 June 1908
Austria
“The Austrian March King”
Josef Franz Wagner was born in Vienna, the son of a doctor.
As a boy he sang in the choir at the Alterchen-Kirche and studied music under its director. Later he studied at the mmonastery school of Seidenstetten. After he graduated from Seidenstetten he studied harmony, instrumentation and composition with Johann Emrich Hasel. He also studied at the Royal Military Institute in Kaschau.
After finishing his studies joined the army. After spending several years with the 23rd regiment, became the bandmaster of the 47th Infantry Regiment in Trient in 1878, 22 years old. He led the band for 14 years until 1892, it was then considered the finest band in the Austrian army.
After leaving the 47th Regiment, he joined the 49th Regiment which at the time was located in Vienna.
In 1899 he left the army to start his own band. It gained popularity fast in Austria.
Josef Franz Wagner died in 1908, 52 years old.
He composed over 400 works. In addition to marches he also composed waltzes, concertos, and songs.