A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Jansa, Leopold
JANSA, Leopold, violinist and composer, was born in 1797 [App. p.685 "1794"] at Wildenschwert in Bohemia. Though playing the violin from his childhood, he entered the University of Vienna in 1817 to study law according to the wish of his father, but very soon gave up the law and devoted himself to music. After a few years he appeared successfully as a violinist in public; in 1824 became member of the Imperial Band, and in 1834 Conductor of Music at the University of Vienna. Jansa, though a good player and sound musician was not a great virtuoso. In 1849 he lost his appointment in Vienna for having assisted at a concert in London for the benefit of the Hungarian Refugees. He then remained in London and gained a good position as teacher. [App. p.685 "He last appeared at Vienna in 1871, when he was 77 years of age."] He died at Vienna in 1875 [App. p.685 "Jan. 25"].
The most eminent of his pupils is Madame Norman-Neruda. Jansa published a considerable number of works for the violin: 4 concertos; a concertante for 2 violins; Violin Duets; 8 string-Quartets, etc. all written in a fluent musician-like style, but with no claim to originality. His duets are much valued by all violin-teachers.