Deutschmeister Regimental March

Among the numerous marches that were dedicated to the Infantry Regiment Hoch- und Deutschmeister No. 4 that had been established in Donauwörth in 1696, the “Deutschmeister Regimentsmarsch” (“Deutschmeister Regimental March”) by Wilhelm August Jurek (1870-1934). Astonishingly enough this march was neither composed by Carl Michael Ziehrer, the regiment’s famous bandmaster at that time (1893) nor was it premiered by him as certain sources state. It came from the pen of the corporal Jurek and he is said to have been inspired to the catchy tune “We’re the lads of the Hoch- und Deutschmeister Regiment number 4” when he stamped documents in his office. The composer’s dedication says: “Most respectfully dedicated to the Right Honorable Johann Werner, imperial and royal Colonel and Commander of the imperial and royal Infantry Regiment No. 4.” It is probably due to the simple words and the catchy tune that was created sort of accidentally that the new Deutschmeister march spread like wildfire in Vienna. In spite of the fact that is neither was composed by a military bandmaster of renown nor that it ever was the official regimental march, Jurek’s piece became the Deutschmeister march per se and without any doubt one of the best-known Austrian marches.