David Popper

Born June 18, 1843, in Prague; died Aug. 7, 1913, in Baden, near Vienna. Czech cellist, composer, and teacher.

Popper began concertizing after graduating from J. Goltermann’s cello class at the Prague Conservatory in 1861. From 1868 to 1873 he was first soloist at the Court Opera in Vienna. Between 1886 and 1913 he was a professor at the Academy of Music in Budapest. Popper toured in Europe and made several tours in Russia beginning in 1865. He also played in ensembles with the pianist S. Menter.

Popper was one of the outstanding cellists of his time. His playing was marked by a rich and beautiful tone, elegance, romantic feeling and virtuoso technique. He wrote four concerti and other works for cello, some of which are part of the repertoire of modern cellists; they include The Spinning Wheel, Dance of the Elves, and The Hunt. Popper’s 40 études (composition no. 73) are widely used by music teachers.