Josef Rixner was a German composer and conductor, born on May 1, 1902, in the artistic district of Schwabing in Munich. He passed away on June 25, 1973, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Rixner was largely self-taught as a composer and began his musical career as a violinist, violist, and pianist in various orchestras from 1919. His move to Berlin in 1932 marked a significant phase in his career, where he worked as a pianist, conductor, and freelance composer, encouraged by the success of his composition "Bagatelle."

Rixner composed music for operettas, revues, and dance theater, with his works being performed in prominent Berlin venues such as the Admiralspalast and the Deutschlandhalle. His compositions were also recorded by the salon orchestra of violinist Barnabás von Géczy. Notable works include "Ouverture Bagatelle," "Tango Blauer Himmel," and the "Suite Frohes Wochenend’," which features the popular "Spanischer Marsch."

During World War II, as air raids intensified in Berlin, Rixner returned to Bavaria in 1944. His music continued to be popular post-war, becoming part of the standard repertoire of sophisticated light music in Germany, often arranged for brass bands and other ensembles. His "Feierabend-Polka" became the signature tune for the radio series "Familie Hesselbach" in the 1950s, and the "Spanischer Marsch" was frequently used in sports broadcasts.

Rixner lived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen until his death and was buried in the local cemetery. His works remain influential in the realm of light and entertainment music.