Friedrich Dotzauer

Full biography Friedrich Dotzauer

Friedrich Dotzauer (1783-1860) was a German cellist and composer. He was born on January 20, 1783, in Haselbrunn, and showed an early interest in music. At the age of 16, he moved to Leipzig, where he studied with the famous cellist and composer Johann Gottfried Schwanberger. He continued his studies under other renowned teachers, including Bernhard Romberg and Jean Pierre Duport.

In addition to being an accomplished cellist, Dotzauer composed a large number of works, including chamber music, concertos, and cello studies. He is best known for his 113 Studies for cello, which are still widely used by cello students today. He also wrote several flute and oboe quartets, as well as string quintets and other chamber music works.

Dotzauer was active as a performer throughout his career, and played in many orchestras and chamber ensembles. He also held several teaching positions, including at the renowned Leipzig Conservatory. Among his notable students was the cellist Julius Klengel.

Despite his prolific output and considerable influence as a teacher, Dotzauer's reputation as a composer declined in the decades after his death. However, in recent years, his music has been rediscovered and reassessed, and he is beginning to receive the recognition he deserves as a composer.