The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Benda, Franz
BENDA, Franz, German violinist: b.
Jungbunzlau Bohemia, 1709; d. Potsdam, 1786.
He exhibited, while a boy, a great desire to learn
the violin which he could gratify in no other
way than by joining a band of strolling
musicians. He found means, however, to acquire an
extraordinary mastery of the instrument, and
in 1732 entered the service of Frederick the
Great, then prince-royal, with whom he
remained the rest of his long life. He founded
a school of violinists, whose method of playing
was entirely original and quite effective. He
also published some excellent solos for the
violin.