Essential Exercises

The Austrian violinist and composer Jakob Dont (1815-1888) very early became a member of the Vienna Hofburg Theatre, later of the Court Chapel. Although he had made a name for himself as a soloist, he decided in favour of a career in education. For his instrument, the violin, he wrote about 50 works, most of them modern opera pot-pourris and character pieces, which are forgotten today. Apart from the preliminary exercises for Kreutzer and Rohde, his 'Studies and Caprices' (opus 35), however, have become an integral part of violin lessons. Praised by Joachim, Auer and Flesch, these outstanding studies were edited by Max Rostal in consideration of a modern violin technique and complemented by preparatory exercises and variants.

'The Austrian violinist Jacob Dont (1815-1888) was also a highly esteemed teacher and composer. He wrote mainly major educational works, over 50 of which have become quite well-known. Dont's 'Etüden und Capricen' Op. 35 were arranged for the viola by Max Rostal who also added preparatory exercises and variants. 'Etüden und Capricen' covers all technical demands with regard to arpeggios, double stops, dexterity, change of position, legato, change of string, types of bowing, trills and appoggiaturas, thus laying the foundation for practising any repertoire.