DAVID, FERDINAND (1810-73). A German violinist, born in hamburg. For two yea rs lie was a pupil of Spohr, in Cassel, studying at the same time with Hauptinann. In 1525, when only fifteen years old, he made his first. appearance as a violinist at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. During 1827 and 1828 lie played in the orchestra of the Theatre, Berlin. At this time he met .Mendelssohn, with whom lie formed a warm friendship. He left Berlin to become first violin of the private quartet of Baron von Lip hardt, of Do•pat, whose daughter lie married. During his sojourn in Russia, which continued until 1835, he appeared with great success in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Riga, and other large cities. In 1836 he was, through Mendelssohn's in fluence, appointed concertmeister of the famous Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig. a position which he filled ably until his death, near Kloster, Switzerland. In Leipzig he was active as a virtu oso, teacher, editor, and composer. As a virtuoso lie had the solid foundations of Spohr's method, combined with the freer development of technique and feeling demanded by more modern taste. Ills
leadership of the violins has left its traditions im pressed upon the Gewandhans Orchestra. Of his success as a teacher it is only necessary to say that Joachim and Wilhelm] aniong his pupils. As an editor, lie has left Die hohe Schule des riolinspicls, a collection of standard works of old masters of the instrument which, together with his own .11clhod for Violin. has had much to do with determining the lines along which modern violin-playing has developed. Though he was not a composer the first rank, his violin concertos are highly esteemed, and his Dante Bella- is a charming series of short pieces for vio lin with pianoforte accompaniment. When, in 1843, the Leipzig Conservatory of Music was established. David beeame instructor of violin there. While Mendelssohn was writing his vio lin concerto he was in constant eonummication with David. who was the first to play the work, and to him Mendelssohn presented the MS., which now belongs to David's family.