Cellist & Composer David Popper Was Born in 1843

Popper's body of 40 etudes has become ubiquitous among classical cellists today

A student of Julius Goltermann, David Popper's compositions include four cello concertos, a Requiem for three cellos and orchestra, and a number of popular bravura show works including "Tarantella," "Spinning Song," "Ungarische Rhapsodie," and "Elfentanz." Although his concerti are rarely heard today, a body of 40 Popper etudes are very well known.

Before becoming a cellist, Popper played both piano and violin. Curiously, he was accepted into the Prague Conservatory on the condition that he immediately switch to cello.

Popper made rapid progress in the professional music scene as a young cellist. He started appearing with orchestras at age 19, performing both standard works and his own compositions. At age 25, Popper became the youngest-ever principal of the Vienna Imperial Opera and Philharmonic, where he often worked with Wagner.

In 1886, Liszt recommended Popper for a teaching role at the newly established string department of the Budapest Conservatory. In Budapest, Popper joined the Budapest Quartet with Jenő Hubay and frequently performed chamber music with Johannes Brahms, which included the premiere of Brahms's Piano Trio No. 3 on December 20, 1886.

Dying in 1913, Popper was one of the last well-remembered cellists who did not use an endpin. His notable students included Arnold Földesy, Jenő Kerpely, Mici Lukács, Ludwig Lebell, and Adolf Schiffer (János Starker's teacher).

EMANUEL FEUERMANN & THEODORE SAIDENBERG | DAVID POPPER | "SPINNING SONG"