Musician. He received notoriety during the 19th century as a Belgium-born violinist, composer and instructor. He composed five violin concertos, duos for violin and piano, a cadenza for Beethoven's concerto, fantasias, salon pieces, and authored books for the violin entitled "24 Classic Etudes" and in 1861 a two-volume text "Gymnastic of the Violin Player." His violin studies began first with his father; from the age of nine, he studied with a local instructor and performing publicly; and in 1832 entering the Brussels Conservatory. He entered the Paris Conservatory in 1836 with his instructor being Francois Habenck. Since he was receiving funding from a wealthy merchant, he was able to stay at the conservatory for 3 years. After leaving the conservatory, he found positions with the orchestras at the Variety Theater and the Opera Comique. From 1844 to 1848, he toured Europe as far as Russia and Norway. While on tour, he met composer Felix Mendelssohn, who was impressed and tutored him. After being tutored, he was able to play Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto on the tour and was the first to play the piece in Berlin, Germany with Mendelssohn on the podium. He was being recognized throughout Europe as a talented musician. He taught at the Brussels Conservatory from 1847 to 1866 before relocating to Paris, France to teach the violin privately. Some of his most-known students were Alfred DeSeve, Henri Marteau, Cesar Thomson, Henry Schradiedk and Martin Marsick. Leonard once said, "The bow is the master, the fingers of the left hand are but his servants." He was a collector of violins, owning a G. B. Guadagnini dated 1751, an Andrea Guarneri dated 1665, and two Magginis, one of which his widow sold in 1891.
Musician. He received notoriety during the 19th century as a Belgium-born violinist, composer and instructor. He composed five violin concertos, duos for violin and piano, a cadenza for Beethoven's concerto, fantasias, salon pieces, and authored books for the violin entitled "24 Classic Etudes" and in 1861 a two-volume text "Gymnastic of the Violin Player." His violin studies began first with his father; from the age of nine, he studied with a local instructor and performing publicly; and in 1832 entering the Brussels Conservatory. He entered the Paris Conservatory in 1836 with his instructor being Francois Habenck. Since he was receiving funding from a wealthy merchant, he was able to stay at the conservatory for 3 years. After leaving the conservatory, he found positions with the orchestras at the Variety Theater and the Opera Comique. From 1844 to 1848, he toured Europe as far as Russia and Norway. While on tour, he met composer Felix Mendelssohn, who was impressed and tutored him. After being tutored, he was able to play Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto on the tour and was the first to play the piece in Berlin, Germany with Mendelssohn on the podium. He was being recognized throughout Europe as a talented musician. He taught at the Brussels Conservatory from 1847 to 1866 before relocating to Paris, France to teach the violin privately. Some of his most-known students were Alfred DeSeve, Henri Marteau, Cesar Thomson, Henry Schradiedk and Martin Marsick. Leonard once said, "The bow is the master, the fingers of the left hand are but his servants." He was a collector of violins, owning a G. B. Guadagnini dated 1751, an Andrea Guarneri dated 1665, and two Magginis, one of which his widow sold in 1891.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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