Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch

The Archduke Albrecht March (German: "Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch") is an Austro-Hungarian military march, composed by Karel Komzák II (also known as Karl Komzák^[1]) as his opus 136.^[2] It was named in honour of Archduke Albrecht, Duke of Teschen (1817–1895).

The march was used extensively by the German forces in World War I and World War II, especially during the departures and arrivals of U-boats. It is still used by the Bundesmarine when greeting a warship back to port from a mission.^[3] The march is also used by the Chilean Navy during military parades or marches.

Introduction: $\relative g'' { \new PianoStaff << \new Staff { \key a \major \time 2/2 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo "" 2. = 64 <cis,, e a>4.\f <cis e a>8 <cis e a>4 e a8 e cis e a4 r8 \times 2/3 { b16( cis d) } <e, b' e>2 <fis b fis'> <e b' e>4 e8 e e4 e } \new Staff { \key a \major \time 2/2 \clef bass <a,, e' a>4. <a e' a>8 <a e' a>4 e' a8 e cis e a4 r <gis b d>2 <a b d> <gis b d>4 r r2 } >> }$

In popular culture

The march is played during departure from, and return to, La Rochelle in the film Das Boot, shortly before the U-96 is bombed at port.
The march is played in the film The Miracle of Bern when a train of released German prisoners of war arrives at Essen.
The march reached a wide audience when it was performed by the Vienna Philharmonic at their 2024 New Years Concert under the baton of Christian Thielemann.^[4]

References

↑ Early edition of the march
↑ Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIaYG2B7n_w
↑ "Neujahrskonzert - Wiener Philharmoniker". www.wienerphilharmoniker.at. Retrieved 2026-05-16.

[1] Early edition of the march

[2] Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project

[3] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIaYG2B7n_w

[4] "Neujahrskonzert - Wiener Philharmoniker". www.wienerphilharmoniker.at. Retrieved 2026-05-16.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]