Scan 26
Celebrated violinists, past and present; ("The Strad" library), 1897
6 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. Printed page 14. See the scan on archive.org.
1Notwithstanding the brilliant prospects which at this period were opening up before him, he gave way to a strong impulse to adopt a military career, an impulse which perhaps owed something to the lack of public interest shown in artistic matters during the revolutionary years. Entering the Austrian army as a cadet on the 1st October, 1851, he rose in two years to the rank of lieutenant. In 1859 de Ahna went through the Italian campaign with his regiment, but when peace was concluded, he once more returned to his first love after resigning his military appointments. His re-adoption of an artistic career was immediately distinguished by remarkable success, and a concert-tour in Germany, Holland, etc., was one long sequence of triumphs. In 1862, after settling in Berlin, he became a member of the royal band, and six years later he was advanced to the leadership of it. In 1869 he was appointed teacher at the "Hoch-schule" under Joachim, and entered Joachim's famous quartet (perhaps the finest the world ever heard) in the capacity of second violin. In this post he worked assiduously and successfully for the benefit of chamber-music in the German metropolis. Together with Barth and Hausmann he instituted series of Trio Soirées which were much appreciated.
3De Ahna was a fine artist; his performance of classical music and especially of the Beethoven concerto, was probably unsurpassed because unsurpassable. His violin—a Strad—is a somewhat remarkable instrument. First, there was its uncommonly grand tone, "greater than that of any other Strad with which I am acquainted," (says Ehrlich); secondly the wood used for the belly contained a knot—a fact which is noteworthy because so rare in Strads.
5De Ahna died on the 1st November, 1892.
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