The Violoncello and Its HistoryWasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
History
The Violoncello and Its History
Wasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
Cellists; Cello -- History
A succession of excellent German cellists emanated from the Prague
Conservatoire, opened in the year 1811. At this Institution JOHANN
NEPOMUK HÜTTNER, born on January 1, 1793, was actively engaged as
Violoncello teacher from 1822. He pursued his studies under J.
Zimmermann. After they were concluded Hüttner joined the orchestra
at the Pesth Theatre. Two years later he went to Lemberg. Thence he
undertook, in 1820, a concert tour in Poland and Russia, after which
he was appointed to the Prague Conservatoire, and the place of first
cellist was immediately given to him at the theatre. His playing was
distinguished by remarkable skill and delicate tone. In the _Adagio_ his
rendering was full of feeling. Hüttner was specially appreciated as a
quartet player.
Hüttner formed an excellent cellist in his pupil, FRANZ HEGENBARTH, born
on May 10, 1818, at Gersdorf, in Bohemia. On May 1, 1831, he entered the
Prague Conservatoire, and remained there as student until May 16, 1837.
Count Kinsky provided him with the means for his artistic education.
In May, 1865, the Professorship at the Prague Conservatoire was given
to Hegenbarth; it had until then been in the hands of Moritz Wagner,
Goltermann’s successor. He devoted himself to this until his death,
which occurred on December 20, 1887.
Besides several other compositions, Hegenbarth wrote a Violoncello
school, though nothing at all of his has been published. Amongst his
pupils the following are distinguished: Lang, Grünfeld, and Wihan.
ANTON LANG, born on November 10, 1850, at Carlsbad, from his tenth year
played both the Piano and Violin, but decided at thirteen in favour of
the Violoncello. In 1865 he became Hegenbarth’s pupil in the Prague
Conservatoire. When his training was ended Lang was employed as solo
player in several concert orchestras. Since 1877 he has been attached to
the Grand Ducal Kapelle in Schwerin as first cellist, with the title of
“Kammer Virtuoso.”
HEINRICH GRÜNFELD, born on April 21, 1855, at Prague, went to the
Conservatoire there, and profited by the instructions of Hegenbarth.
In 1873 he became solo cellist at the comic opera at Vienna and filled
this place for two years. In 1876 he went to Berlin, where he worked
as teacher of his instrument. From time to time he undertook some
successful concert tours in Germany, Russia, and Austria, with his
brother Alfred. Everywhere his beautiful tone and his tasteful rendering
were appreciated.
HANS WIHAN, born on June 5, 1855, at Politz, in Bohemia, is likewise
a pupil of the Prague Conservatoire, which he frequented from 1868
until 1873. At the end of this period he studied for awhile under the
direction of Davidoff. His excellent performances procured for him the
position of first Violoncellist in the Hofkapelle at Munich, which
he filled for eight years with honour. In the spring of 1888 he was
nominated to the Professorship of the Prague Conservatoire as successor
to his master, Hegenbarth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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