Joseph Netzer (1808–1864) was born in Zams near Landeck in Tyrol. In Vienna, where he was taught by both chapel master Johann Baptist Gänsbacher and Simon Sechter, he made the acquaintance of Franz Schubert. After travelling to Italy, Netzer composed the opera Mara in 1840, with which he achieved great success on an art tour through Germany. After stops in Leipzig, Mainz and once again Vienna, he moved to Graz in 1853 where he was appointed director of the Styrian Music Association and a year later assumed the artistic direction of the Graz Male Choral Society. Netzer composed works in just about every genre, whereby his part songs for male voices enjoyed especial popularity. In terms of content and music, they reflect the tradition of multi-voiced singing that flourished in the 19th century. The pieces of great tonal beauty selected here (partly a cappella, partly with piano accompaniment) are mainly songs about nature, love and drinking that were often sung at society concerts and social gatherings and even today provide a great addition to the repertoire for male choirs and ensembles.
