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A growing list of Violin Players / ComposersFrom notes on the development of Violin playing © 1998 RDJH File Version. 0.91
Accardo, Alard, Auer, Baillot, Baltzar, Bazzini, Benda, Bennewitz, Bériot, Biber, Blinder, Bohm, Brainin, Brodsky, Bull, A.Busch, Campoli, Corelli, Crickboom, Dancla, David, Dont, Dubois, Elman, Enesco, Ernst, Flesch, Galamian, Geminiani, Gingold, Grappelli, Grumiaux, Habeneck, Haendel, Hassid, Heifetz, Holmes, Hubay, Huberman, Joachim, Kagan, Klimov, Kogan, Korsakov, Krebbers, Kreisler, Kremer, Kreutzer, Kubelik, Kyung Wha Chung, Lafont, Leclair, Leonard, Locatelli, Marsick, Marteau, Massart, Menuhin, Milstein, Moser, Mostras, L.Mozart, Musin, Nardini, Neveu, D.Oistrakh, Ondricek, Paganini, Perlman, Persinger, Pisendel, Powell, Pugnani, Repin, Ricci, Robberechts, Rode, Rostal, Sammons, Sarasate, Sauret, Schradieck, Sevcik, Sitkovetsky, Sivori, Somis, Spivakov, Spohr, Stern, Stolyarsky, Suk, Szekely, Szerying, Szigeti, Tartini, Thibaud, Thomson, Torelli, Tretiakov, Vengherov, Vegh, Vieuxtemps, Viotti, Vivaldi, Wieniawski, Wilhelmj, Yampolsky, Yankelevich, Ysaye, Zimbalist, Zukerman
Some of the earliest Violinists / Composers are described here. The very first 1st violin composition was by ANDREA GABRIELI - A collection of Sonatas written in 1587. CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI, trained as a professional string player, and used a surpirisingly wide variety of techniques such as tremolo, pizzicato. and portamenti in his "Orfeo" ( It was perfmormed in Mantua in 1607 ). BIAGO MARINI was a violin virtuoso who joined Monteverdi's instrumentalist in Venice. He wrote a technical treatment on the violin before he settled in Bavaria. CARLO FARINA settled in Dresden in 1625, and in his "Capriccio Stravagante" 1627 used special effects imitating animals & birds, and going beyond 1st position; these pieces were of little musical value, but certainly fun to listen to. Around mid-Century, MARIO UCCELLINI, in Modena, raised the range of violin to G ( a full 3 octaves ) , in 6th position on the E string. G.B.VITALI, in Bologna was cellist at the church San Petronio, he also taught the violin to son, TOMASO V., whose "Chaconne" is a favorite piece in the permanent violin repertoire. Back to Index
MARINI worked for many years in Neuburg-on-the-Danube. G.B.BUONAMENTE, Was a chamber musician at the Austrian court 1626-9 in Vienna and Prague. Many musicians from Bohemia and Moravia went to Vienna & Germany. JOHANN HEINRICH SCHMELZER was the founder of the old Austrian violin school, which combined both German & Italian traits. HEINRICH VON BIBER, (b Bohemia 1704) settled in Salzburg in 1670 and became Kapellmeister there. His Passacaglia for unaccompanied violin was altogether superior to the works of his Italian contemporaries. JOHANN JAKOB WALTHER & JOHANN PAUL VON WESTHOFF ( Contemporaries of Biber ) both served in Dresden, during the late 1670s. Westhoff outshone reigning the French violinist LULLY in Paris so the King published his accompanied & unaccompanied Violin sonatas ( they go up to 7th position, and contain double stops). He was superior to the Italian school in technique, but not in the cantabile style or in their sonata and concerto forms. Bach JS continued Biber & Westhoff's old German traditions in his solo Sonatas and Partitas.Back to Index
Here, the violin was limited mostly to dance, ball & feasts music in 1631 according to Trichet. Only adventurous players reach the 4th position. Louis XIII granted official status to the string orchestra "Le 24 violons du Roy" in 1626. In 1653, Louis XIV appointed JEAN BAPTISTE LULLY (b Florence, later naturalised Frenchman in 1661) as new court composer for instrumental music. As violinist he formed the "Petits violons" some 16-21 string players, then turned to composing lyric tragedies. However, France was far behind Italy & Germany in Violin composing. France in the 1600s had a stable government, autocratic, resisting the Italian sonata style & foreign influence. Back to Index
Italy is considered the birthplace of violin ; full of Makers, Composers and Performers of the violin. Italian violinists travelled & settled abroad, exporting their knowledge & talents, teaching in other countries until national schools were formed. Back to Index ARCANGELO CORELLI (1653-1713). He is considered the ancestor of all great violinist. He was no innovator, but built a firm basis for the future development of violin playing. He absorbed the instrumental "tradition" at San Petronio, Bologna but hardly performed outside Rome or Bologna. He settled in high society at the service of Queen Cristina of Sweden, in Rome. There too was A.Scarlatti, his friend & colleague. Corelli writes mainly to convey the singing soprano voice of the violin ( no special effects are used in his pieces, but one senses a search for a pure and plain melody ). He is said to have had agile bowing and played an Andrea Amati violin. He insisted that everyone in his orchestra play with the same up and down bows. Corelli founded the SCUOLA ROMANA. He composed in both Da Chiesa and Da Camera styles ( later his sonatas became less distinct ). His "Christmas concerto" Op.6n8, is his most famous piece for string orchestra and his 12 violin sonatas Op.5 ( dated 1st Jan 1700 ), include the "La Folia" variations. ( 42 editions of this piece had been printed by end of the century ). Corelli's style was dissipated through GEMINIANI, SOMIS, VERACINI, TARTINI & LOCATELLI. Back to Index ANTONIO VIVALDI ( b.Venice,1678 ) Known as the "red-haired priest". Vivaldi's music was mostly forgotten, and only rediscovered in the 1930s. He studied with his father, a barber & violinist. He was a violin teacher for 37 years at the Ospedale della Pieta, an institution for illegitimate or orphaned girls. He boasted he could compose a concerto faster than a copyist could copy it. His "Gloria" was commissioned for the marriage of Louis XIV of France. Corelli became a favorite composer at the "concert spirituals" in Paris, ( without having ever been there ) especially thanks to his 4 seasons ( These were the most important programmatic compositions until Beethoven' s arrival ). He used the solo concerto form more than the sonata form. He wrote over 240 violin concerti. Vivaldi played in extremely high positions in some of his cadenzas ( this leads to the styles of Locatelli and Paganini ). Visiting violinists were Veracini, Tartini, Locatelli & Pisendel. Back to Index G.B.SOMIS (1683-1763). Was a pupil in 1703, for 4 years of Corelli. It is thought he may also have been a pupil of Vivaldi. Somis bridges the Baroque and Classical eras. He founded the SCUOLA PIEMONTESE at Turin and taught PUGNANI, LECLAIR, GUILLEMAIN & the Italians GUIGNON (Ghignone) & CHABRAN (Chiabrano) who both moved to Paris. Back to Index FRANCESCO GEMINIANI (b.1687) A Pupil of Corelli (and of A.Scarlatti in composition ). He came the closest in style to Corelli and settled early in London, in 1714. He was warmly welcomed ( after being demoted to viola for playing rubato or out of time in his native town orchestra, in Lucca. He performed accompanied by the young Handel, but soon became a rival of Handel. Geminiani played concerts for 3 years in Dublin. His concerti grossi became very popular in Paris, and in Germany his fugal writing was considered to be exemplary. He also wrote 2 sets of accompanied violin sonatas and also an unaccompanied sonata. His "Method" of 1751, London is now available in print. Back to Index VERACINI (b.Florence,1690-1768) He played following Corelli's style. He was taught by his violinist Uncle, and had an unusually long bow, playing with boldness, power and sweep. He was boastful, an eccentric, restless traveler, eventually becoming employed in Dresden. He was a troublesome character and one episode tells of Pisendel organizing a competition, which for some dispute resulted in Veracini throwing himself out of a building and breaking a leg ! As soon as it got better he returned to his native Florence. One of his most noted pieces are his "Sonate Accademiche" 1744. Back to Index G.TARTINI (1692-1770). Corelli and Vivaldi's concerto "prototype" influenced Tartini's composing and Veracini's virtuosity influenced his performing. Tartini insisted all his pupils learn Corelli's Op5 Sonatas before continuing study on anything else. He was a self taught genius who founded the PADUAN SCHOOL in 1728 ( this became the best European school ). Tartini taught the same 10 students every day ( teaching up to 10 hours a day ) and taught over 70 students from all over Europe during his 40 years teaching. He worked and played the violin for over 50 years in Padua, performing at the Basilica di San Antonio. His concerts were limited to North Italy, though he traveled to Prague. However he was disgusted with foreign food and climate and returned after only 3 years. He wrote very "Romantic" music such as his "Devil's Trill", composed after dreaming of selling his soul to the devil who played a miraculous sonata. His "Didone Abbandonata", and 50 variations on a Corelli theme ( a Gavotte ) known as the "Art of bowing" are also well known. He played with vibrato ( then known as "tremolo" ) as an ornamental effect, with his left wrist. He was also able to vary its speed. Tartini is also noted for his tonal shading in his bowing, also known as "messa di voce" - a crescendoing and decrescendoing in one bow. Partly for this reason, it is thought that he played without vibrato. Back to Index ANTONIO LOCATELLI ( b.Bergamo,1693-1764 ) A Pupil of Corelli and G.VALENTINI in Rome. He published. "L'Arte del Violino" in 1733, in Amsterdam, where he settled around 1730. Later these were eagerly reprinted in Paris as 12 Concerti Op.3 - Each concerto has 2 caprices, ( hence his collection of 24 Caprices ). Caprice n23 has the title "Harmonic Labyrinth." Locatelli was the greatest technician of his century, directly influencing Paganini. Paganini's first caprice clearly derives from arpeggio bowing invented by Locatelli. Contemporaries said that Leclair played "like an angel", though many sources also relate ( compare Paganini ) that Locatelli looked like the devil !. Back to Index PIETRO NARDINI (1722-93) A pupil at Tartini's famous school in Padua. He went there at the age of 12, and remained for 6 years. He became a Chamber virtuoso at ducal court of Stuttgart where he composed his Sonata in D, and his beautiful Concerto E minor. A direct link to the French school can be traced back to Nardini, as he taught POLLANI, who taught BAILLOT. Leopold Mozart, noted violinist and father of Wolfgang Amadeus, who heard him said it was impossible to hear a finer player for beauty, purity, evenness of tone and singing quality. He was so impressed that he ( Mozart's father ) later accompanied his 14 year old son, WA Mozart, to Florence ( where Nardini worked and lived for 23 years. Nardini could be described as a "Non-virtuoso", disdaining virtuosity. Back to Index ANTONIO LOLLI (1730-1824). Played in the Tartini style. He was a self taught virtuoso. Played double stops in 3rds, 6ths, 8ves, and had an erratic style full of special effects which sometimes became grotesque. Lolli was not a school founder to say the least ! GAETANO PUGNANI ( b.Turin,1731-1798) A Pupil of Somis, Corelli and Tartini. Pugnani represented the best features of all the Italian schools. He reinforced the Piedmont school. He played a Guarneri violin, and used a modern bow ( he actually met Tourte, both father & son Tourte ) and also preferred fitting thicker strings for more tone. Through the SCUOLA di PADOVA, a modernized Italian tradition entered the Paris Conservatoire through his best pupil, Viotti. Pugnani was famous for his "arco magno" ( or grand bow stroke ). Back to Index
G.TORELLI (1660-1708) A contemporary of Corelli. He emerged from the San Petronio Orchestra, in Bologna. Torelli was the 1st to write a violin solo concerto ( Corelli stuck to the old concerto grosso style ). Traveling to courts, he settled in Dresden, Germany. He gave rise to schools in Dresden, Berlin & MANNHEIM. ( which became 2nd only to Roman school in late 1700). JOHANN GEORG PISENDEL (Franconia,1687) Studied with Torelli in Ansbach. Came from Dresden in 1716 to study with Vivaldi. He returned with Vivaldi's manuscripts, some even dedicated to him. Bach knew him & heard him. Pisendel's Concerto in D foreshadows the structure of Mozart's 5th Violin Concerto. Back to Index FRANZ (FRANTISEK) BENDA (b.Bohemia,1709) Studied with Pisendel. Played Adagios well and Bach thought highly of him. He composed almost 100 caprices on a par with those of Nardini and Tartini. Back to Index
JOHANN CARL STAMITZ & 2 SONS. (1717-57) Founder of The Mannheim school of violinists. He demanded high and exacting orchestral performances. Anton Stamitz taught Kreutzer the violin. LEOPOLD MOZART (1719-87). Leopold belonged to the Mannheim School. His "Method" 1756 and style was more classical than Geminiani's. There were similar contents but more advanced bowing over Geminiani. His Method was translated into French & Dutch during his lifetime. He taught his pupils to use a faster bow speed for more volume. WA Mozart added a trumpet and timpani part to a Viotti concerto which he planned to perform at Vienna. Back to Index LOUIS SPOHR ( b.1784-d.Cassel,1859 ) A Pupil of Eck, Mannheim, though he later adopted Rode's style. Spohr was the antithesis of Paganini. Paganini said Spohr was the foremost singer on his instrument, though Spohr thought badly about Paganini, Italian Orchestras and teaching at the Naples conservatory. From concertmaster and piano conducting he improvised a rehearsal with a baton and score. Spohr was literally the inventor of modern conducting. On the string bowings with solid musicianship - he rejected artificial harmonics. Division of bow & tone control. Sparing vibrato which could accelerate in a crescendo. Famous "on the string" staccato. Played chromatic scales. Technique = means to an end. Spohr lived from 1812 to 1815 in Vienna. He liked Viotti's music but apparently was refused lessons by Viotti. Adored Mozart, but negative towards Beethoven, although he later grew to accept Beethoven. He liked Wagner, conducting the "Flying Dutchman".Spohr wrote 15 violin concerti (from 1803 to 1844), bridging Beethoven's and Mendelssohn's concerti. The 8th Concerto is titled "Lyric scene". Uses melodic invention which was once considered Good teaching material ( and still should be ). Spohr uses no free ornamentation on melodic line. He published "Violinschule" method in 1831 and taught hundreds of orchestral students ( 145 in Cassel alone ) Spohr also invented the modern chin rest. He wrote Operas, Quartets, symphonies and songs. Back to Index FERDINAND DAVID (b.Hamburg,1810-73) A Pupil of Spohr. David played Bach's suites as well as all the old Italian masters' sonatas. He published a collection of these old Italian Sonates ( to revive the old Italian compositions ) in his "High school of violin playing". He was involved in much chamber music, and pioneered the Mendelssohn concerto ( he was a close friend of Mendelssohn ). The "Peer" of violin pedagogues. He taught Joachim and Wilhelmj at the Leipzig conservatory. Back to Index AUGUST WILHELMJ (b.1845-d London 1908) He entered David's class in 1861, having been recommended by Liszt. Wilhelmj was the antithesis of the purist Joachim. He arranged and often transposed Wagner for the violin & piano. Professor in 1894 at The Guildhall School of Music, London. He changed the bow often to produce a powerful tone in Bach's Air which he arranged for the G string. Back to Index
ANDRAS MOSER Teacher in Berlin. Collaborated with Joachim on a Violin method. HENRI MARTEAU (b.1874 d.Germany,1934) A Pupil of Léonard ( he played a Maggini violin ) French schooling. French father/ German mother. Succeeded Joachim as teacher for 10 yrs at The Berlin hochshule in 1908. He suffered from "Germanising" his style. Marteau became a Swedish citizen in 1920, teaching in Prague, Leipzig and Dresden. Exemplary interpreter of Mozart. He also revived the Swedish composer Berwald (1796-1868) and his violin concerto. Max Reger dedicated several works to him. Back to Index ADOLF BUSCH () Studied at the Cologne conservatoire under Willy Hess ( a Joachim disciple ) and Bram Eldering.( a Hubay pupil ). He studied composition in Bonn with H.Gruters. Was Professor in 1918 at the Berlin Hochschule, succeeding Marteau. WILLY BURMESTER (1869-1933) A Pupil of Joachim. However, the latter didn't help him with career. He was invited to St. Petersberg by Tchaikovsky after he had played his concerto.
MICHELE MASCITTI ( 1663-1760 ) and J.P.GUIGNON( 1702-74 ) Were both pupils of Corelli who settled in Paris REBEL ( 1666-1747 ) Directed the "24 Violons du Roi", a famous string orchestra in France. DUVAL ( b.1673 d.1728 ) played Corelli. J.B.SENAILLE (1688-1730) From the 24 Violons played at the court in Modena for 2 years. FRANCOEUR was also a player in the 24 violons. All composers around this period had some Italian influence. Back to Index CONCERT SPIRITUEL organized in 1725 for religious holidays, when the Operas and Theatres remained closed. The King gave the Tuileries Palace and the Orchestra became the best in Europe. It lasted 65 years, until in 1790, along came the French revolution. Corelli's concerti grossi and Vivaldi's 4 seasons were very popular. French music retained its dominance though. Back to Index LECLAIR (b.Lyon,1697 d.1764) Encouraged and taught by Somis at the age of 29. He studied in both France & Italy. "French Corelli" he brought together a reconciliation of French & Italian styles. He spent 6 yrs in Holland - Amsterdam was a centre for music publishing. Mysteriously, Leclair died murdered, stabbed. He wrote many accompanied sonatas. Tuned often in concert but played double stops very in tune. He insisted that Allegro means not fast, but gay ( sprightly ). His student was L'Abbe le fils, though it is thought Gavinees may have also studied with him. Leclair laid the foundation for the spectacular rise of the French school in the 1800s. Back to Index PIERRE GAVINIES ( b.1728 d.1800 ) Basically Gavinies continued where Leclair left. He was slightly influenced by Tartini and the Mannheim school. He grew up in Paris, and his father was a violin maker. He was a Prodigy at the age 13, playing w L'Abbe fil aged 14. Gavinies was always in great demand at the concert spirituel. He was put In prison for an adventure with a countess. In 1762 he became concertmaster and conductor of the Concert Spirituel. In 1773 he became the co-director of Concert Spirituel. He was appointed Professeur at Paris New Conservatoire in 1795. Interestingly, He played Locatelli caprices. His extremely advanced studied "24 Matinees" were published.1800. His 6 concerti are composed following an early model of the French violin concerto. Gavinies sums up a new accomplished French style. He played to Mozart in 1763/4. Pupils of Gavinees were Baudron, Capron, Guenin, Simon LeDuc ( whose French concerti influenced Mozart ), & Paisible who all became composers of violin music. Viotti calls him the "Tartini of France." Back to Index
JEAN-PIERRE GUIGNON (b.1702-d.1774 ) A Corelli pupil. Outrivaled Leclair. JEAN CASSANEA de MONDOVILLE (1711-72) Was the 1st to use harmonics on violin. Harpsichord more balanced in his sonatas, influencing Mozart. CoDirector of Concert.Spirituels from 1755 to 1762. LOUIS-GABRIEL GUILLEMAIN (1705-70) Was a student of Somis. Great technician. Committed suicide. L'ABBE le FILS (b.1727 d.1803) A Prodigy. Retired in 1762 to teach. His "Principes du violon" book was published in 1761. He Foresees Baillot's bow grip. This very accomplished violinist marks the beginning of the leadership of the French school during the following Century. ANDRE NOEL PAGIN ( b1725 d.85+) He studied with Tartini in Padua, but was criticized for playing too much in the Tartini & Italian style when he returned to Paris in 1747. Legitimate heir of the Tartini tradition in France. He taught La Houssaye. LA HOUSSAYE ( b.1735 d.1818 ) Also a pupil of Tartini. Taught in Paris Conservatoire until 1802. JOSEPH BOULOGNE DE SAINT-GEORGES (W.Indies(Fr. father-Native mother,1739-99) He founded the "Concert des Amateurs", later "Concert de la Loge Olympique", (standing) which became best Orchestra in Paris, and perhaps in Europe. He wrote 12 violin concerti, and even used 10ths ! Back to Index
Paris becomes the European Centre for Violin schooling in the 1st half of 1800. The Paris Conservatoire was founded in 1795. The Concert hall opened in 1811, seating 1055 people. G.B.VIOTTI ( b.1753 d.1824 ) The Father of modern violin playing. He came from a poor Piemonte family - A Noble Marchesa di Voghera takes him to Pugnani. His education cost 20,000+ francs. He was the founder of 19th century French school. He arrived with his Stradivari violin in Paris in 1782, playing his concerto at the Concert Spirituel. with much acclaim. He transformed the French school of Leclair & Gavinees. Viotti composed giving symphonic proportion to his 29 Violin concerti, which influenced Mozart and Beethoven. (Fr.Opera/German Symphs/It.cantabile). Viotti's concerti were in turn influenced by the Paris symphonies of Haydn who he met later after moving to London in 1792. Here Viotti played with the double bass virtuoso, Dragonetti, but was expelled for 3 years to Hamburg. His musical career ended at the age of 43. He returned to London, becoming bankrupt as a wine merchant in 1814. No luck as director of Royal Opera House, in Paris either and he died in UK. His Concerto n22 in a minor was a favorite of Brahms, Joachim & Kreisler; He also wrote "51 Duos for 2 violins", but only composed 1 sonata. Viotti taught Rode, Kreutzer & Adlay. Viotti considered the playing of a perfect scale the most difficult of all achievements. Viotti's bow tone was drawn with a modern sharp attack. Back to Index
P.Baillot + R.Kreutzer + P.Rode : Together represent a fusion of all great traditions since Corelli. Together they wrote an official "Conservatoire Violin Method" in 1802
J.B.CARTIER A violin teacher and a pupil of Viotti. A collector of music - His printed collections included the Unaccompanied Bach Fugue in C. ( published in 1802. ) RUDOLPHE KREUTZER ( b.Versailles,1766 d.1831 ). Was the son of a German musician. A violin pupil of Anton Stamitz. Later, he was influenced highly by Viotti in Paris. He served on the Conservatoire faculty there for 30 years. Popular Opera composer (with Cherubini & Mehul) He wet the 14 year old Paganini in Genoa - both were mutually impressed. In 1798 he moved to Vienna, where he became friends with Beethoven. However Kreutzer received Beethoven's famous sonata in A very coldly. His "42 Etudes" were written in 1800, designed for his conservatoire students. Of his 19 Violin Concerti, number 19 is written in the grand French tradition. (Joachim thought highly of it). In 1810 Kreutzer broke his Left arm and so he conducted to revive the Concert.Spirituels in 1820s. He taught Lambert Massart, Lafont and Bazzini. Back to Index
PIERRE RODE ( b.1774 d.1830 ) The closest pupil of Viotti ( he paid no fee for his lessons ). He played exclusively Viotti's concerti and composed himself 13 Violin concerti. He toured Holland, Germany, England and Spain, and arrived in St. Petersberg in 1804 where he stayed for up to 5 years. Possessing to perfection his teacher's own style, but with more mildness a more refined tone, he returned to Paris, but unfortunately to an indifferent public ! He had deteriorated at the age of 34. He went on an extended visit to Moscow. Beethoven wrote his last violin sonata in G sonata Op96 for him, when in Vienna. From 1814-19 Rode lived in Berlin, where he wrote his "24 caprices". and his 13 Concerti. He played Mozart's difficult to interpret quartets very well. It is recorded that he used portamento extensively. He owned 2 Stradivari, and taught Mayseder & Bohm. Back to Index CHARLES LAFONT ( b.Paris,1781 d.1839 ) A child Prodigy. A Pupil of his uncle Bertheaume, moved to Kreutzer, but dissatisfied moved to Rode. He succeeded Rode at czarist court St.Petersberg, but returned by 1815. Challenged Paganini to a contest in Milan, which confirmed popular belief that the French school was the finest in the world. Paganini displayed technical feats, but Lafont had the more powerful tone. Both received extraordinary applause. One day Lafont's carriage overturned and he died while touring S.France. He did not teach. Back to Index FRANCOIS HABENECK ( b.1781 d.1849 ) A Pupil of his German father who was a band musician. He entered Baillot's class in 1800 and won 1st prize 4 years later. He was known as a violinist and a founder of good orchestral training through 1800. He conducted the Conservatoire orchestra which became the best in Europe, and was praised by Mendelssohn, Paganini (whom he accompanied with Orch. & whose 24 caprices he had studied ) and Wagner. He taught at the Conservatoire for more than 20 years. String coaching was his specialty. He promoted Beethoven's works in Paris. His "Methode theorique et pratique de violon" published in 1835 contains a facsimile of a sketch for a method by Viotti ( written in Viotti's late life & handed down by his heirs ). His Pupils were Lalo, Leonard, Hubert, Alard and Philippe P Sainton ( b. Toulouse,1813 d.1890 ) who in 1844 taught at The RAM, London ) Back to Index LAMBERT JOSEPH MASSART
( b.Liege,1811 d.1892 ) A Pupil of A.Delaveux. The King sponsored his
teaching, but Cherubini didn't accept him at first in the Paris Conservatoire as
he was a foreigner. He became a private pupil of Kreutzer. In 1843 he was
appointed Professeur at Paris Conservatoire. High priest of the French virtuoso
school, who Performed Beethoven's Kreutzer sonata with Liszt. He taught
Kreisler, Wieniawski and Sarasate. Back to Index MARTIN PIERRE MARSICK ( b.near Liege,1848 d.1924 ) Studied with Leonard, Massart and briefly, Joachim. Succeeded Sauzay at the Paris conservatory in 1892. Taught Flesch, Thibaud & Enesco. DELPHIN ALARD ( b.1815 d.1888 ) Pupil of Baillot and Habeneck. Wrote a tutor. In 1843 taught at the Paris Conservatoire. Taught Sarasate.
Belgium bacame independent in 1830. The links to the Belgium School were : Tartini >> Nardini >> Pollani >> Baillot >> De Beriot. ANDRE ROBBERECHTS ( b.Brussels,1797 d.1860 ) Studied with Baillot in Paris and for many years with Viotti. Taught De Beriot.
HUBERT LEONARD ( b.Belgium,1819 d.1890 ) Studied, as a child, with Rouma, in Liege. He carried Habeneck's teaching to Belgium, where he taught Thomson, Marteau, Martin Marsick, and Ovide Musin OVIDE MUSIN ( b.1854 d.1929 ) He Established a school in New York. in 1908
HENRYK WIENIAWSKI ( b.Poland,1835 d.1880 touring Moscow) A Pupil of Serwaczynski, in Warsaw, then from the age of 8 to 13 a pupil of Massart. In 1848 he gave 5 successful concerts in St. Petersburg. He then re-entered next year in the Paris conservatoire to study harmony. He toured Russia with his brother, a pianist. "Souvenir de Moscou", "Ecole Moderne" and his 1st concerto were published before he was aged 18. In 1860 Anton Rubinstein persuaded him to settle in St. Petersburg for 12 yrs. There he played with Rubinstein & Leschetitzky, ( pianist ), Davidoff, and also met Balakirev and Tchaikovsky. He played Beethoven's Quartets, Bach's Chaconne and Viotti concerti. Vieuxtemps' 2nd concerto was considered a masterpiece in Russia. Unfortunately, he disliked the Russian police state & constant surveillance so he left in 1872. In 1874 he accepted a temporary post in the Brussels conservatoire, teaching Ysaye and Lichtenberg. 2 years later he resumed touring Prague, Budapest, Poland, London, Berlin and Russia. Bad health be struck from 1877. His "Amati" violin was sold to Hubay who identified it as a Petrus Guarnerius. Wieniawski wrote "Il faut risquer" in red across difficult passages. His angular, high right elbow, and his 1st finger touching above the 2nd joint on the bow are similar to what Flesch later referred to as the Russian grip. He produced a rapid staccato from tensing his right shoulder. He was a romantic virtuoso whose approach has become an indispensable part of modern playing. Back to Index EUGENE YSAYE ( b.Liege,
Belgium,1858-1931 ) A Pupil of his father at first, then with Rudolphe
Massart ( the nephew of the more famous Parisian teacher ) at the Liege
conservatoire. He was also a pupil of Wieniawski ( who had temporarily
substituted Vieuxtemps ). Vieuxtemps eventually taught him for 3 years, CESAR THOMSON ( b.Liege,1857 d.1931 ) Studied with Leonard & succeeded Ysaye at the Brussels conservatoire. Fingered octaves and gymnastic exercises for vibrato. ARTHUR GRUMIAUX ( b.Belgium, 1921- ) He continued the Belgian school. Studied with ALFRED DUBOIS ( an Ysaye pupil ), and briefly with Enesco. He succeeded Dubois at Brussels Conservatoire in 1949. He recorded all Beethoven's sonatas with Clara Haskil ( only a few available on CD ), and later with Walter Klien for CD. He gave the 1st modern performance of Paganini's lost 4th concerto ( discovered by Gallini ) .Back to Index
A most musical region with parallel developments to the Italian and German baroque masters. The following were all from Bohemia : Jan Stamic ( also known as Stamitz ), Frantisek Benda ( known as Franz Benda ), Ernst, Josef Slawjk ( who settled Vienna in 1825 and was the1st Schubert player). Many Bohemians trained in Vienna, because of Austria's political domination. Prague continued competing with Vienna. Back to Index The Bohemian String Qt. in 1892 marked a turning point in the history of quartet playing. In fact, much later, in the 20th century, Prague, along with Vienna and Budapest became the three most important centres for the training of string quartets. Back to Index FRIEDRICH WILHELM PIXIS ( b.Mannheim,1786 d.1842 ) A Pupil of Viotti. Became a significant figure at the Prague Conservatoire when it opened in 1811, bringing the traditions of the Mannheim school allied to Viotti's teaching. Pixis was the teacher of Mildner. MORITZ MILDNER taught Ferdinand Laub (1832-75, admired by Joachim, & appointed prof. Moscow C in 1866). Also taught Czech Jan Hrimaly, who taught at Moscow after Laub (from 1874-1915) ANTON BENNEWITZ Taught Sevcik, Kocian & Ondrieck. FRANTISEK ONDRICEK premiered Dvorak's concerto in 1833, Prague. Back to Index OTTOKAR SEVCIK ( b.Bohemia,1852 d.1934 ) Was taught at the Prague conservatory ( even though he failed his entrance exam twice !! ) by Anton Bennewitz ( who was a pupil of Moritz Mildner, a pupil of Pixis, a pupil of Viotti in Germany ). Sevcik taught at the Imperial Music school, Kiev, in the Ukraine ( from 1875 to 1892), then at the Prague Conservatoire and at the Vienna Conservatoire ( from 1909 to 1919 ). He returned to Prague in 1919 when the Czechoslovak Republic became established and held International Summer school in Pisek, S.Bohemia. He did much to improve violin technique by adopting the "semitone system". Overall, He taught 5000 pupils including Jan Kubelik, Zacharewitch, Zimbalist, Marie Hall and Joseph Karbulka ( the teacher of P.Stolyarsky ) Back to Index JAN KUBELIK ( 1880-1940 ) Practiced 12 hrs/day. Automatic perfection - but no rushed tempi; slow. Best at Paganini. Not an entirely successful performing career. JAROSLAV KOCIAN ( 1883-1950 ) Studied with Sevcik ( from 1896 to 1901 ) then at the Prague Conservatoire . International Concert career from 1907 to 1910. Professor at the Odessa Conservatory, then 1st violin of MECKLENBURG QT, in Petersburg. From 1924 to 1943 professor at the Prague Conservatory. Back to Index VASA PRIHODA ( 1900-60 ) studied with Marak ( who was a Sevcik pupil). He started out as a Cafe player in Milan, then was discovered by Toscanini. He taught in Munich, and Salzburg, and from 1950 to 1960 at the Vienna Academy Back to Index
Founded privately in 1817, it didn't become a state-supported academy until 1909. The 1st professor was Bohm, then the Hellmesberger family, Dont and Grun. It produced violinists such as Ernst, Joachim, Kreisler, Flesch and Enesco ( though these last 3 perfected their training at the Paris Conservatoire ). Arnold Rose taught from 1893 to 1924 ; he founded Rose Quartet, which was much admired by Brahms. Ernst Moravec ( who taught from 1930 to 66) was a Sevcik pupil. Later Kolisch & Wolfgang Schneiderhan ( both pupils of Sevcik) taught there .Back to Index
JACQUES THIBAUD ( 1880-1953 ) A close pupil of Marsick. He was influenced by Ysaye. There was a mutual admiration between Kreisler, Thibaud & Ysaye. At first he played in the Cafe Rouge Orchestra, but overnight fame came with an ovation after having substituted the concertmeister in Saint-Saens's "Deluge". He had a most refined and elegant French style. Back to Index
BRONISLAV HUBERMAN ( b.Poland,1882 d.1947 ) A Pupil of Mihalowicz, and especially of Grigorovich ( a pupil of Besekirsky ), Heermann in Frankfurt and Marsick in Paris. Brahms was overwhelmed by Huberman's performance of his violin concerto. He survived a plane crash in the Dutch east Indies in 1937. He used a pure finger only vibrato, and German style portamenti ( like Joachim who influenced him ). Back to Index OLE BULL ( b.Norway,1810-1880 ) Norway belonged to Sweden ; it gained independence in 1905. Bull studied a little with a Baillot pupil, Spohr didn't care, imitated Paganini but belonged to no school. His head and chin were free from clenching and he used a chinrest across the tailpiece, a very flat bridge for chords which he developed from a folk fiddle. Used a long and heavy bow. He had a Gaspar da Salo violin. Toured Europe & Russia, where he was well received. Tried to form Norwegian colony in America, but swindled. He Sent the 15 year old Grieg to Leipzig for training. He played many national folk tunes. Back to Index
HEINRICH WILHELM ERNST ( Jew,Brno,Moravia,1814-1865 ) In 1825 he entered Boehm's class at the conservatoire. Then spent 6 years studying with de Beriot in Paris. Very impressed in 1828 by hearing Paganini, who he tried to emulate. Travelled around to listen to Paganini's concerts and practice habits. Ernst travelled across Europe and into Russia. He played the viola in Berlioz' Harold in Italy under the direction of the composer. He played quartets at the Beethoven society with Joachim, Wieniawski & the Cellist Alfredo Piatti. Expressive & much admired playing characterized by portamenti (glissandi). Played with a Strad violin and a Tourte bow (lucky ). Transcribed Schuberts Erlking for solo violin. Also wrote "6 polyphonic studies", and Concerto pathetique Op23. The Ultimate in violin virtuosity. Back to Index JACOB DONT (1815-88) Pupil of Bohm at Vienna conserv. Taught Auer.Back to Index
JOSEPH BOHM ( Pest-Hungary,1795-1876 ) A Prodigy. A pupil of his father and a few lessons from Rode. Appointed professor. at the Vienna conservatoire ( form 1819-1948 ) He also played Beethoven & Schubert Quartets with a fine art of phrasing. He had many pupils; Hubay, Ernst, Hauser, Joachim, Hellmesgerger, Dont and Grun. Back to Index JENO HUBAY ( Budapest,1858-1937 ) He studied with his father, then 3 years with Joachim, then Vieuxtemps, in Paris. Succeeded Vieuxtemps's teaching post in Brussels for 4 yrs, then returned to Budapest, where he taught for almost half a century, founding the Hungarian Violin school. He taught Jelly D'Aranyi, Szekely, Szigeti, Telmanyi, Vegh, and Eugene Ormandy. Back to Index FRANZ VON VECSEY ( Budapest,1893-1935 ) Studied with Hubay, then Joachim. Competed with Auer's Elman. Sibelius dedicated his concerto to 17 yr. old Vecsey. Back to Index JOSEF SZIGETI ( 1892-1973 ) Studied with a member of Budapest Opera Orch., then with Hubay. Later taken by Hubay to Joachim, but Szigeti found Joachim's teaching too cold - verbal instruction without violin in hand; so he refused. Many contemporary composers dedicated works to him. He played Bartok, Bloch (concerto premiere), Milhaud, Roussel, Prokofiev's 1st concerto, Ravel, Stravinsky & Honegger. He also recorded Bach's solo sonatas, Beethoven & Brahms. He declined a teaching job at the Leningrad conservatory, but inspired the young L.Kogan. More musicianship than a technician. Back to Index EMIL TELMANYI ( 1892- ) Studied at the Budapest Academy with Hubay. The BUDAPEST Quartet were originally Hungarians; 1917 Debut. By 1936 All 4 were Russian. National identity maintained in HUNGARIAN QT 1935-70 (ZOLTAN SZEKELY) and the Vegh quartet ( Founded by Sandor Vegh in 1940 ). Back to Index CARL FLESCH ( 1873-1944 ) Student of Marsick, at the Paris Conservatoire. Taught Hassid. Back to Index ADOLF BUSCH SANDOR VEGH Was Musical director at the biannual International Musicians' Seminar at Prussia Cove in Cornwall, UK.
After studying in a preparatory school or with Stoliarsky in Odessa, for example, at the age of 17 or 18 admission would be made to enter a Soviet Conservatoire. Teachers at the Leningrad conservatory included Sergei Korguyev (t.1900-25), Maria Gamovetskaya (t.1912-31), and Miron Poliakin (1895-1941). Yuri.Eidlin, who taught MIKHAIL VAINMAN (1926-1977) and BORIS GUTNIKOV (1931-1986). Back to Index. Teachers at the Moscow Conservatory included LEV ZEITLIN, ABRAM YAMPOLSKY (-1956), BORIS SIBOR, KONSTANTIN MOSTRAS. After 1930; DMITRI TSYGANOV, DAVID OISTRAKH and POLIAKIN. LEOPOLD (VON) AUER ( b.Hungary,1845-1930 ) A Pupil of Ridley Kohne, at the Budapest Conservatory, using Alard's method. Also a pupil of Dont, and had lessons with Joachim from 1863 to 1865. Recommended by A Rubinstein as a suitable replacement for Wieniawski at St. Petersburg, for 49 yrs ( from 1868 to 1917), leaving in the year of the revolution. Founder of the Russian school. His assistant was Nalbandyan, teaching at the faculty until 1942. Auer taught ,Elman, Heifetz, Milstein, Seidel, Zimbalist, Parlow, Shumsky, Lubov and Sigal. Used different fingerings for each individual's needs. as well as different approaches. Auer insisted that open string pieces for a year gave his pupils a better tone later on. Back to Index
ABRAM ILICH YAMPOLSKY ( 1890-1956 ) Graduated from Korguyev's class in Petersburg in 1913. Founder of modern soviet school. Pupils include L.Kogan, Yulian Sitkovetsky, Igor Bezrodniy, Boris Goldstein, Elisabet Gilels, Mikhail Fiklengol'ts, Yakov Rabinovich, Isaac Zhuk, Mark Lubotsky. He was the uncle of Izrail Markovich Yampolsky ( Kiev,1905-76 ) who graduated with him in 1930. He also taught Yankelevich.Back to Index YURI YANKELEVICH ( Basle,1909-73 ) Studied with Yampolsky at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow, until 1936 when he taught there, continuing Yampolsky's principles. Taught Vladimir Spivakov, Viktor Tretiakov ( Tchaikovsky 66 ), Inna Bochkora, Shkolnikova, Albert Markov. Wrote books and gave seminars. Back to Index KONSTANTIN MOSTRAS A Pupil of Sibor. Taught from 1914 at the School of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, and from 1922 at the Moscow Conservatory. Taught Galamian, M.Terian, and M.Yashvili. Wrote many technical books on the violin.Back to Index JASCHA HEIFETZ
MISCHA ELMAN ( Odessa,
1891-1967 ) DAVID OISTRAKH ( Odessa,1908-74
) . From age 5 to 18 studied with Stoliarsky. Imitated Kreisler from recordings.
From 1930-7 won much recognition from competitions. Junior teaching position at
Moscow conservatory in 1939. LEONID KOGAN ( 1924-82 ) Studied with Yampolsky ( hence Auer's influence ). Imitated Szigeti. More modern & less romantic than Oistrakh. Played Brahms' concerto, Paganini's 24 caprices, Berg's concerto. He won the Queen Elizabeth competition in Brussels in 1951. From 1952 taught ( coldly ) at the Moscow conservatory. Many Soviet composers dedicated works to him - K.Karayev, T.N.Khrennikov, Khatchaturian's Concert Rhapsody. Very pure technique & tone. He taught Andrei Korsakov and Viktoria Mullova. Back to Index VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV Studied at the Leningrad Conservatoire under Lubov Sigal ( a pupil of Auer ). JULIAN SITKOVETSKY Educated prior, and during the second World War, he was one of the former Soviet Union's most gifted and revered virtuosos. Many Russian music authorities regarded him as the brightest violin star of a generation that included Leonid Kogan (a class mate), David Oistrakh, Michael Waiman, and Boris Goldstein. A pupil of Abram Yampolsky, the famed Russian pedagogue, Sitkovetsky's path and struggle to artistic recognition proved an arduous one and in the end, only partially successful. In the West he remained little known and several violin competitions, in Russia and abroad, brought him only 2nd prize. In one or two of them there were rumours of political manipulations which allegedly deprived him of the first prizes ( The 1952 Wieniawski Competition in Poznan and The 1955 Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium) , although in his early days he did share the coveted place with his mate Leonid Kogan in The 1945 Russian Competition. In his late twenties he married the pianist Bella Davidovich ( now living in New York ) and the couple had one son, Dmitri, now a well-known international concert violinist and conductor. At the age of 32 Julian Sitkovetsky fell ill and cancer of the lung was diagnosed. He died in a Moscow hospital a few month after his 33rd birthday. The recordings that he left are impressive - an awe-inspiring Sibelius Concerto and an equally exquisite Tchaikovsky Concerto - and numerous chamber works, sonatas and short pieces, some recorded with his wife-pianist. Julian Sitkovetsky's art combined technical brilliancy with attractive sonority and projected some of the best qualities of the so-called Russian school and conception of playing. Adding to that were of few personal touches, such as an inimitable rubato, a phenomenal musical memory and a digital dexterity second to none. On a personal level he was highly respected and much loved by his fellow musicians and some of his colleagues world-wide, such as Menuhin, Senofsky and Stern, had tried to came his rescue by providing support during his illness. Sitkovetsky's dream was that his son would one day also become a violinist and although his dream became a sweeping reality, he did not live to see it happen. Other Soviets include ILYA GRUBERT; GIDON KREMER; NINA BELINA; ALBERT MARKOV; BORIS BELKIN; DIMITRI SITKOVETSKY. Back to Index
Many Jewish violinists, with origins mainly in Hungary, Poland and Russia took exodus and moved to America. So many achieved International status in the USA that once Stern remarked " They send us their Jews from Odessa, and we send them our Jews from Odessa ". IVAN GALAMIAN ( b.Iran,1903
d.1981 ) He had Armenian parents who brought him to Russia at the age
of 2 months. At 8 years of age was sent to the School of the Philharmonic
Society, Moscow, to study with Konstantin Mostras ( a pupil of Sibor ). In 1917
he fled to Germany and finally arrived in Paris to become a pupil of Lucien
Capet. In 1930 he was appointed Vice president of the Russian Conservatoire in
Paris, and he was a member of the faculty at the Ecole Normal de Musique in
Paris from 1936 until 1939 when he emigrated to the USA. In America he held
appointments to the faculties of the Curtis Institute and Julliard, and the
establishment of his own summer school at Meadowmount. At the age of 75 he still
taught exclusively from his private apartment in New York, except during the
Summer months when classes were moved to his famous Meadowmount School in the
Adironack Mountains at Westport, New York. One detail about his teaching
concerns the left hand position changing technique reffered to as
"creeping" fingers ( as had taught Babitz in 1947, and L'Abbe le fils
back in 1761 ). In his book "The Principles of Violin Playing and
Teaching" he sums up his main principles : " Interpretation
is the final goal of all instrumental study, its only reason d'être. Technique
is merely the means to an end, the tool to be used in the service of artistic
interpretation. For successful performance, therefore, the possession of the
technical tools alone is not sufficient. In addition, the player must understand
the meaning of the music thoroughly, must have creative imagination and a
personal approach to the work if his rendition is to be lifted above the dry and
the pedantic. His personality must be neither self-effacing nor aggressively
obtruding. " In America he taught many students, including Michael
Rabin, Perlman, Zuckerman, Jamie Laredo and the Korean, Kyung Wha Chung. Back
to Index LOUIS PERSINGER ( Illinois,1887-1966 ) Trained at the Leipzig conservatory, before finishing with Ysaye, in Brussels. Became leader of The Berlin Philharmonic orchestra and the Royal Opera Orchestra in Brussels. In 1915 he was appointed leader and assistant conductor to the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. He succeeded Auer in 1930 at the Julliard school, in New York. He taught Menuhin, (Stern) and Ricci. JOSEF GINGOLD ( Russia,1909 ) Emigrated to the USA in 1920. A Pupil of Vladimir Graffman, in New York., then for 2 years studied with Ysaye in Brussels. Became a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Toscanini, and then leader of the Detroit and later the Cleveland Symphony Orchestras. In Cleveland, where he remained for 15 years, he was also the soloist in 15 concertos. In 1960 he joined the faculty of the Indiana University Music School at Bloomington, becoming a distinguished Professor of Music. Gave Masterclasses at the Paris Conservatoire and at the Toho Music School in Tokyo. . He was a member of the jury of a number of violin competitions including the Queen Elisabeth, Paganini, Wieniawski, Leventritt, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky competitions. Teaches in New York. Back to Index
YEHUDI MENUHIN ( 1916- living )
HENRYK SZERYNG ( b.Warsaw,1918- recently ) Studied with Maurice Frenkel, a former pupil and assistant of Auer, in St. Petersburg. He then studied for 3 years with Flesch, at the Paris Conservatoire. In 1954 he became a Mexican citizen. He Found, assembled and premiered Paganini's lost 3rd concerto. Back to Index
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NICOLO
JOSEPH
PIERRE
CHARLES
DE 
HENRI
imparting the Franco-Belgian tradition. In 1879 he became concertmaster in
Berlin, where he was much admired by Joachim. He toured Scandinavia & Russia
with Anton Rubinstein from whom he learnt much about interpretation. In 1883 he
settled in Paris. He revived French chamber music and knew César Franck ( Who
dedicated his violin Sonata to him in 1886 ), Debussy ( Quartet dedicated in
1893 ), Saint-Saens, Faure, and Chausson ( Whose Poème 1896 was also
dedicated to Ysaye ) From . 1886 to 1898 he was professeur at the Brussels
conservatory. He was also friends with the Russians Tchaikovsky, Glazunov,
Taneyev, Cui, Rachmaninov, Rubinstein, Siloti, Auer, and Besekirsky. Later in
life a trembling bow and nervousness disturbed him. From 1918 to 1922 he
conducted the Cincinnati Orchestra. ( Cincinnati was mostly a German community
with a German musical tradition ). Ysaye returned to Brussels & gave master course
at Ecole Normale, Paris, which was attended by Thibaud, Enesco and Milstein.
Joachim advocated a sparing "quiver" vibrato on expressive notes only,
but in contrast Ysaye used a more intensified, French vibrato (from Wieniawski
& Vieuxtemps) - almost "sensuous". His sound was thus more modern
than Joachim's. He used French portamento (sliding from below). and tempo
rubato. Enesco, Thibaud, Kreisler and Elman would often "get
together". There was much colour & intensity in Ysaye's exprssion.. He
was most fussy about loud accompanists by Orchestras and pianist ( he preferred
the organ ). Divides works "Par le violon"( example the
Beethoven Violin concerto ) and "Pour le violon". like his 6
un- accompanied violin sonatas which he pblished.1924 
FRITZ
In
1943 he became a US citizen. His direct approach in concerts made him turn full
face to audience. He vibrated continuously ( cf. Wieniawski and Ysaye ). His
late recordings are sometimes slightly out of tune ( due to deafness ), though
his many, many earlier recordings are prized by almost every well-educated
violinist.. He wrote hundreds of little pieces, Viennese melodies. He had a
lasting impact on 20th century violin playing. 
PABLO
DE 
PIOTR
NATHAN
Prodigy and first famous young pupil of Auer. 
International
career began in 1950s. Concertos by Khatchaturian 1940 (Armenian folk),
Myaskovsky 1938, Prokofiev & Shostakovich (1&2), Kabalevsky ( 1948 )
dedicated to him as well as sonatas by Prokofiev & Shostakovich (- for 60th
Birthday). Taught Oleg Kagan ( Sibelius 65 ), Valery Klimov, Gidon Kremer,
Victor Pickeisen, Lydia Mordkovich, the Bulgarian Stoika Milanova ( who won
first prize in the Carl Flesch competition in 1970 ).
ISAAC