Johann Gottfried Piefke

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A 1844 advertisement for a musical event organised by Piefke
A 1844 advertisement for a musical event organised by Piefke

Johann Gottfried Piefke (pronounced "peefke") (September 9, 1817 – January 25, 1884) was a German conductor, Kapellmeister and composer of military music.

Piefke was born in Schwerin an der Warthe in the Grand Duchy of Posen. His famous marches include "Preußens Gloria" ("Prussia's Glory") and the "Königgrätzer Marsch" (composed after the Battle of Königgratz, 1866, the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War). He died in Frankfurt (Oder)

Piefke's "Königgrätzer Marsch" can be heard playing during the book burning scene in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It was one of Adolf Hitler's favorite marches and was often played during his public appearances.