Presents
Jakob Dont
Quartet for 4 Violins in e minor, Op.42-New Edition
Jakob Don’t (1815-1888) was born in Vienna where he spent his entire life. He studied the violin with several famous teacher then in that city including Josef Böhm and of Georg Hellmesberger. At the age of sixteen, he became a member of the Imperial Theater Orchestra and later the Imperial Chapel. He regularly appeared as a soloist to much acclaim. However, despite his success, he decided against a career as a touring virtuoso soloist and instead opted for a career as a teacher. In 1853, he became a professor at the Pädagogisches Institut of Vienna. And in 1871, he obtained a teaching post at the Vienna Conservatory. However, he was not allowed to use his own teaching material which he had composed, he left the Conservatory and went off on his own as a much sought after private teacher. Dont's compositions are mainly limited to innovative teaching material. His 24 Etudes and Caprices Gradus ad Parnassum are considered some of the most important technical studies for the violin. Among his many students was Leopold Auer, teacher of Heifitz, Elman, Milstein and many others.
Dont composed his Quartet in e minor for four violins in 1859 while a professor at the Pädagogisches Institut. While the work was no doubt intended to show off the results of his teaching methods with his own students, it was also clearly a fine concert work. The work is a full fledged mid Romantic era quartet. The opening movement is a lyrical Allegro espressivo. This is followed by an energetic and rhythmically pronounced Scherzo and contrasting trio. In third place is an emotive Larghetto. The finale is a lively Vivace.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $31.95
