Adolf Schiffer
Encyclopedia
Adolf Schiffer was a Czech cellist and teacher, who for many years served as professor in cello at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
in Budapest
. He is best remembered as being the link between two great cello teachers – being a student of David Popper
and the teacher of Janos Starker
.
in Budapest
, studying under the illustrious cellist, teacher and composer, David Popper
, and being his "final protégé" . Janos Starker has described him as “a great teacher... [whose] forte was in assisting his students to develop their natural abilities. He was a superb cellist and musician, but because of a rather late start as an instrumentalist, he limited his performances to string quartet playing."
Schiffer served as assistant to Popper , and after Popper retired, Schiffer was appointed as Professor in cello studies, a role he held until his own retirement in 1939. His most celebrated student was Janos Starker, who conincidentally was also one of his last students, and continued lessons with him even after Schiffer's retirement . Schiffer’s pupils include Paul Abraham
, Tibor de Machula, Gabor Rejto, Matyas Seiber
and Laszlo Varga
.
In describing his teaching, Starker notes that “He used no method. He assigned material, corrected musical errors, played fragments to clarify his suggestions, and ridiculed unnatural motions that were contrary to the music. Theatricality was discouraged and dismissed as fitting only or clowns to emply in lieu of talent. “
Schiffer used a Tubbs bow, which has now passed to Janos Starker, and has Schiffer’s his name engraved on the silver of the frog .
Franz Liszt Academy of Music
The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a concert hall and music conservatory in Budapest, Hungary, founded on November 14, 1875...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. He is best remembered as being the link between two great cello teachers – being a student of David Popper
David Popper
David Popper was a Bohemian cellist and composer.-Life:He was born in Prague, and studied music at the Prague Conservatory. He studied the cello under Julius Goltermann , and soon attracted attention...
and the teacher of Janos Starker
János Starker
János Starker |Kingdom of Hungary]]) is a Hungarian-American cellist. Since 1958 he has taught at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he holds the title of Distinguished Professor.- Child prodigy :...
.
Life
Adolf Schiffer was born in Prague in 1873. He is reported to have worked as a book keeper while teaching himself cello . He reached a sufficient standard to gain a place at the Franz Liszt Academy of MusicFranz Liszt Academy of Music
The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a concert hall and music conservatory in Budapest, Hungary, founded on November 14, 1875...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, studying under the illustrious cellist, teacher and composer, David Popper
David Popper
David Popper was a Bohemian cellist and composer.-Life:He was born in Prague, and studied music at the Prague Conservatory. He studied the cello under Julius Goltermann , and soon attracted attention...
, and being his "final protégé" . Janos Starker has described him as “a great teacher... [whose] forte was in assisting his students to develop their natural abilities. He was a superb cellist and musician, but because of a rather late start as an instrumentalist, he limited his performances to string quartet playing."
Schiffer served as assistant to Popper , and after Popper retired, Schiffer was appointed as Professor in cello studies, a role he held until his own retirement in 1939. His most celebrated student was Janos Starker, who conincidentally was also one of his last students, and continued lessons with him even after Schiffer's retirement . Schiffer’s pupils include Paul Abraham
Paul Abraham
Paul Abraham was a composer of operettas.Abraham studied at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest from 1910 to 1916...
, Tibor de Machula, Gabor Rejto, Matyas Seiber
Mátyás Seiber
Mátyás György Seiber was a Hungarian-born composer who lived and worked in England from 1935 onward.-Career:Seiber was born in Budapest, and studied there with Zoltán Kodály, with whom he toured Hungary collecting folk songs. In 1928, he became director of the jazz department at the Hoch...
and Laszlo Varga
Laszlo Varga
Laszlo Varga is a Hungarian-American cellist who has a worldwide status as a soloist, recording artist, and authoritative cello teacher.-Biography:...
.
In describing his teaching, Starker notes that “He used no method. He assigned material, corrected musical errors, played fragments to clarify his suggestions, and ridiculed unnatural motions that were contrary to the music. Theatricality was discouraged and dismissed as fitting only or clowns to emply in lieu of talent. “
Schiffer used a Tubbs bow, which has now passed to Janos Starker, and has Schiffer’s his name engraved on the silver of the frog .