Joseph Joachim

Joseph Joachim , 1831-1907, Hungarian violinist; friend of Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Schumann. In his long career his performances of violin masterpieces came to be accepted as models. Joachim was concertmaster under Liszt at Weimar, 1849-53; later he became (1868) musical director of the Berlin Hochschule. The Joachim quartet, which he founded in 1869, presented the conservative quartet repertory of the 19th cent. in definitive interpretations. He composed cadenzas for the violin concertos of Beethoven and Brahms.

Joachim, Joseph (b Kitsee, 1831; d Berlin, 1907). Hung. violinist and composer. Gave first concert at age of 7. Studied in Vienna 1839–43 under Hellmesberger and Boehm. Went to Leipzig Cons. 1843, where he was welcomed by the dir., Mendelssohn, playing at Gewandhaus concerts and, in 1844, in London (Beethoven conc.). In 1849 became leader of Weimar court orch., under Liszt, and leader and soloist to the King of Hanover 1853–66. Met and became friend of Brahms. In 1868 went to Berlin as dir. and prof. of vn. at the new Hochschule für ausübende Tonkunst, forming Joachim Quartet following year. Frequent visitor to England (hon. Mus.D., Cambridge, 1887). Superb interpreter of classical conc., especially that by Beethoven (for which he wrote cadenzas). Dedicatee and first player of Brahms's conc., and dedicatee of Dvořák's conc., which he refused to play. Rift in friendship with Brahms when marriage broke up and Brahms sided with Frau Joachim (the singer Amalie Weiss) in the divorce suit. This rift was healed by Brahms's Double Conc., 1887. One of conds., Berlin PO 1882–7. Comp. 3 vn. concs. (incl. Hungarian Concerto), 5 ovs., songs, etc. Orchestrated Schubert's Grand Duo (1855).