Iosif (Ivan) Ivanovici (1845-1902) was born in Timisoara (Temesvár) in modern-day Rumania. He became a successful military musician, directing several military orchestras and traveling throughout Rumania. He wrote music for piano, voice and military orchestra. In 1900 he was appointed Inspector of Military Music, a post he held until his death just two years later.



The style of his music may be compared to that of his contemporary Johann Strauss, but is also strongly influenced by Rumania's own musical tradition. Ivanovici is the composer not only of the well-known "Donauwellen" (Danube Waves) Waltz, but also of over 300 dance pieces and marches, for which he received a prize in the Paris World's Fair of 1889.