Josef Bayer was an Austrian composer.
He studied at the Vienna Conservatory under the mentorship of Josef Hellmesberger, Sr., Otto Desoff and Anton Bruckner. Beginning in 1870, he was a violinist for 28 years in the ''Wiener Hofoper'' (Vienna Court Opera). Josef Bayer's actual musical career commenced in 1883 when he became the music director of the Vienna Court Opera and then as of 1885 taking over the direction of the Court Opera's ballet. During this period he composed over 20 one-act ballets, several operas, dance scenes and numerous other musical works. His first great success was the original performance of the ''Wiener Walzer'' (Vienna Waltz) in January 1885 which traced the development of the German national dance in the previous century using the melodies of Johann Strauß, Josef Lanners and many others.
He remained in the position as director of the Court Opera's ballet until his death on March 12, 1913. His grave can be found at the ''Wiener Zentralfriedhof'' (Vienna Central Cemetary) located at Group 0, Row 1, Number 66.
