A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Fodor, Joseph

FODOR, Joseph, violin-player, born in 1752 at Venloo. In 1766 he studied under Franz Benda at Berlin, and having acquired great proficiency, travelled for a number of years in Germany, the Netherlands, and France, establishing his reputation as an eminent violinist. In 1794 he went to St. Petersburg, and remained there up to his death in 1828. Spohr, who heard him in 1803, considers him wanting in feeling and taste, and objects to his unsteady manner of bowing, but acknowledges his great technical skill. His numerous compositions—Concertos and Solos for the Violin, Duos for Violins, and Quartets for Strings, are well written, and met with much success in their time. The famous singer, Mme. Fodor-Mainvielle, was his daughter, and his two younger brothers, Carl and Anton, were clever pianists and composers.

[ P. D. ]