A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Dotzauer, Justus

DOTZAUER, Justus Johann Friedrich, one of the greatest composers, players, and teachers of the violoncello; born at Hildburghausen, Jan. 20, 1783 [App. p.618 "June"]. His teachers were Henschkel, Gleichmann, and Rüttinger—a pupil of Kittl's, and therefore only two removes from J. S. Bach. For the cello he had Kriegk of Meiningen, a famous virtuoso and teacher. He began his career in the Meiningen court band, in 1801, and remained there till 1805. He then went by way of Leipzig to Berlin, where he found and profited by B. Romberg. In 1811 he entered the King's band at Dresden, and remained there till his death, March 9 [App. p.618 "6"], 1860, playing, composing, editing, and, above all, teaching. His principal pupils were Kummer, Drechsler, C. Schuberth, and his own son, C. Ludwig. His works comprise an opera ('Graziosa,' 1841), a mass, a symphony, several overtures, 9 quartets, 12 concertos for cello and orchestra, sonatas, variations, and exercises for the cello. He edited Bach's 6 sonatas for cello solo, and left an excellent Method for his instrument.