Ferdinand David

Full biography Ferdinand David

Ferdinand David was a German virtuoso violinist and composer ), born in 1810 and died in 1873. He was a prominent figure in the music scene in Leipzig, where he served as concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchestra and professor of violin at the Leipzig Conservatory. His most famous work is probably the violin concertino, which he wrote as a tailor-made piece for his friend, a famous trombone player. David also wrote about forty other works, including two symphonies, five violin concertos, and an opera entitled "Hans Wacht", which he withdrew after just two performances.

David was a close friend and collaborator of Felix Mendelssohn, and it was Mendelssohn who wrote his famous violin concerto with David in mind to perform as the soloist. David premiered the concerto in 1845, and it has since become a cornerstone of the violin repertoire. Mendelssohn famously wrote to David saying, "The old cat has never written anything for the virtuosos and soloists; you are the first," indicating how highly he regarded David's talents as a performer.

In addition to his work as a performer and composer, David was also an editor, and he edited the complete works of Mozart and Beethoven for the publisher Breitkopf & Härtel. He also played a key role in the development of the modern violin, helping to design and refine the instrument in collaboration with the prominent luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.

Overall, Ferdinand David was a highly influential figure in the world of music in the mid-19th century. He was renowned for his virtuosic performances, his innovative compositions, and his contributions to the development of the violin as an instrument.