Dont, Etudes Caprices Op. 35 for Solo Violin (IMC)
Jakob Dont's 24 Etudes & Caprices is a well-known resource for advanced violin education. Typically, aspiring violinists study Dont's Opus 35 after Kreutzer's 42 Etudes and before moving on to the Paganini Caprices. All of these exercises and pieces are designed to improve technique. The book is edited by Ivan Galamian and published by International Music. It is exclusively for violinists.
Jakob Dont was an Austrian violinist, composer, and teacher born in Vienna on March 2, 1815. His father, Valentin Dont, was a famous cellist. Jakob studied under Josef Böhm (1795–1876) and George Hellmesberger (1800–1873). At the age of sixteen, he joined the Hofburgtheater-Orchesters, and in 1834, he started working at the Wiener Hofkappele. During his time there, he often performed as a soloist. Despite his success, he decided against pursuing a solo career.
In 1853, he began working as a professor at the Pädagogischen Institut Wien, and later, in 1871, he joined the Wiener Konservatorium. However, he eventually left this position as his own instructional compositions were not allowed to be used. Dont's compositions mainly consisted of innovative teaching material. His 24 Etudes and Caprices Gradus ad parnassum Op. 35, and the 24 Exercises Preparatory to the Studies of R. Kreutzer and P. Rode Op. 37 are considered some of the most important technical studies for the violin.
Among his students was Leopold Auer. Jakob Dont passed away on November 17, 1888, in Vienna.