John Hartmann

Who was John Hartmann?

John Hartmann was a Prussian brass composer. He is notable for having served Prince George, Duke of Cambridge as bandmaster in the British 4th Regiment, 12th Lancers.

When Hartmann went to fulfill his mandatory service obligation to the Prussian military, he chose to be a musician. Doing that gave him the option of choosing the regiment he would serve with. He chose to serve with the Cuirassiers in Cologne. While with the Cuirassiers, he played solo coronet and violin. In 1854, his bandmaster, Herr Schallehn, left service and traveled to England, joining the Crystal Palace Company. Hartmann joined him when his service was over in October 1855. John's brother Ernest also joined Schallehn.

Hartmann continued to play cornet in the Crystal Palace Band until he was offered the position of bandmaster of the Tyrone Militia at Sheffield. He served with them, with the 1st Dragoon Guards, and with the Royal Sherwood Foresters, who were "one of the best brass bands in the country." He organized the band of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Foot at Chichester. He served with the 4th Foot Guards in Corfu, and the 12th Lancers at Hounslow for four years.