Franz Anton Ernst

History

Franz Anton Ernst (Sources contain conflicting information about his birth year, either 1715 or 1745, died 1805) was born in Georgenthal, Bohemia, according to Cecie Stainer. He pursued legal studies in Prague, while also diligently engaging in music, particularly violin playing, as noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Ernst initially served as a syndic in Georgenthal before entering the service of Count Salm, where he fully developed his musical talents. He returned to Prague in 1773, achieving significant success as a musician. In 1778, he was appointed as a court musician and concertmaster in Gotha, a position that allowed him the leisure to dedicate himself to violin making, as detailed by George Hart and Cecie Stainer. During the last ten years of his life, Ernst ceased public performances to focus exclusively on instrument construction, a pursuit he had cultivated earlier out of artistic interest, possibly inspired by Eberle, according to Lütgendorff. He even undertook additional studies in mathematics to further perfect his violin-making craft.

Craft

• Model: Franz Anton Ernst's instruments were crafted following the Stradivari model, a detail consistently noted by John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and Cecie Stainer.
• Workmanship: His violins are described by John Dilworth as 'finely worked with very good quality varnish'. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff adds that they exhibit a 'flat arching' and were 'very highly praised'.
• Tone: The tone of his instruments was highly regarded, with Cecie Stainer stating it 'almost equalled that of the Cremona instruments'.
• Technical Study: To achieve greater perfection in violin making, Ernst undertook special instruction in mathematics, as mentioned by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Publication: In 1804, he published a significant article on the construction of violins in the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung in Leipzig, according to Cecie Stainer.

Influence

• Musical Mentorship: As an eminent violinist, Franz Anton Ernst received lessons from Antonio Lolli, as stated by George Hart.
• Inspiration: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests that Ernst's interest in violin making may have been stimulated by Eberle.
• Apprentices: Ernst initially worked with J. A. Otto, who later became a prominent German maker. After Otto established his own business, Artmann and Bindernagel, both carpenters, left Weimar to become apprentices to Ernst, according to Cecie Stainer.

Legacy

• Reputation: His violins were highly praised, and the renowned violinist Spohr frequently used them in his concerts, as noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Compositions: Ernst composed a considerable amount of music, though only a small portion of it was published, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Further Information

• Birthplace: Georgenthal, Bohemia, as stated by Cecie Stainer.
• Deathplace: Gotha, Germany, as noted by John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer.
• Career Locations: He studied and performed in Prague, served as a syndic in Georgenthal, and was a court musician and concertmaster in Gotha.

Summary

Franz Anton Ernst was a celebrated violinist and concertmaster who, despite conflicting birth year accounts (1715 or 1745), died in Gotha in 1805. After a distinguished career as a musician, including studies in law and violin in Prague and service in Georgenthal and Gotha, he dedicated the last decade of his life to violin making. His instruments, crafted after the Stradivari model with flat arching, were known for their fine workmanship, excellent varnish, and a tone comparable to Cremonese instruments. Ernst even studied mathematics to refine his craft and published an article on violin construction. He was musically mentored by Antonio Lolli and influenced by Eberle in his instrument-making endeavors, also training apprentices such as J. A. Otto, Artmann, and Bindernagel. His violins were highly esteemed and used by figures like Spohr.