Description

BERNHARD MOLIQUE CARRODUS (1866 – 1935)

 

 

 

 

Bernhard Molique Carrodus was a prominent English violinist and composer. He was the son of the celebrated Victorian violinist John Tiplady Carrodus (1836–1895) and was named after the famous German violinist and composer Bernhard Molique, who had been his father’s teacher.

Carrodus established a stellar reputation as a violin soloist, frequently performing at major British musical events, including the prestigious Three Choirs Festivals, and collaborating with leading orchestras and prominent singers of the era.

Musical Career & Achievements

Royal Command Performance: A pinnacle of his career came in 1899 when he was summoned to Balmoral Castle to perform for Queen Victoria.

The Elgar Connection: He was a close friend and associate of the legendary English composer Sir Edward Elgar, who wrote violin solos specifically for him.

Compositions & Teaching: As a composer, Carrodus wrote two mazurkas, a Scotch Rhapsody, a Romance in G, and various technical studies for violin students. He also shared his expertise as a professor at the Trinity College of Music in London.

Later Life in Ross-on-Wye

His international performing career was unfortunately cut short by progressive deafness. Following his retirement from the big stage, he settled in the market town of Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire.

He remained deeply dedicated to music, becoming the president of the Ross Music Society and organizing numerous concerts for the local community until his death in 1935.

 

 

 

JOHN DUNN (KINGSTON UPON HULL, 16 FEBRUARY, 1866 – HARROGATE, 18 DECEMBER, 1940)

 

 

 

 

John Dunn was the most prominent English violinist at the turn of the 20th century and composer. He was considered especially successful in interpreting works by Niccolò Paganini.

His first public performance happened when he was only 9. Soon he went to the Leipzig Conservatory. Studied with Henry Schradieck. After completing the course and returning to Britain he performed as soloist at Covent Garden (in 1882), The Proms, Crystal Palace, Glasgow Choral Union concerts, Royal Amateur Orchestral Society, bur also in Berlin and Leipzig.

In approximately 1900 he took a concert tour in America, during which he used an exotic ‘Russian’ pseudonym Ivan Donoiewski. In 1902 he made the first performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in England.

His compositions include a Violin Concerto,[citation needed] a Sonatina for piano[citation needed] and minor pieces, among others a Soliloquy and a Berceuse. He also wrote a number of cadences to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.

The 1843 ‘John Dunn’ violin by Giuseppe Rocca is named after him.

 

 

 

VICTOR WILLIAM OPFERMAN (LONDON, 14 DECEMBER 1872, – LONDON, 1931)

 

 

 

 

Victor Opferman was a London-based violinist, chamber musician, and recording director active in the early decades of the 20th century. He was born in London to Johann August Opferman, of German origin, and Caroline Hönig.

Opfermann was active in London’s musical life at a time when German musicians played a significant role in British concert and recording culture. Census records place him in Streatham in 1901 and later in Wandsworth in 1911, confirming his long-term professional presence in the capital.

He is particularly notable for his involvement with the early British recording industry. When the German record label Dacapo, originally founded in 1907, entered the British market around 1910, Opferman was appointed musical director for the London recordings. During this period (circa 1910–1912), the London agent for the label was William Barraud. Dacapo’s British issues, beginning with catalogue number 1 and priced at 2 shillings and 6 pence, were visually similar to Zonophone records—likely a deliberate marketing strategy.

As a chamber musician, Opferman led the Opfermann-Quartett, which made recordings for Homocord, further establishing his role in the transition from live performance to early commercial recording. His work places him among the generation of musicians who helped shape Britain’s pre-war recorded classical repertoire.

Victor Opferman died in 1931.

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Bernhard Carrodus Hearts and flowers (Tobani) 7923 4141a Berliner, London 1902

Bernhard Carrodus Simple aveu (Thomé) 7924 4139a Berliner, London 1902

Bernhard Carrodus Souvenir de Posln, Mazurka (Wieniawski) 7925 4140a Berliner, London, 1902

John Dunn Caprice No. 13 (Paganini) Odeon A 143079 1909

John Dunn La Ronde des Lutins (Bazzini) Edison Bell 536 X 1189

John Dunn Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 (Chopin) Edison Bell 614 X 1309 1923

John Dunn Soliloquy (J. Dunn) Edison Bell 614 X 1308 1923

John Dunn Zapateado – Danza spagnola, Op. 23, No. 2 (Sarasate) Odeon XX 72613 Lxx 3680-2 1912-05-01

Victor Opferman Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) Edison Bell 10066

Victor Opferman Cavatina (Raff) Edison Bell 10324

Victor Opferman Chanson du printemps (Mendelssohn) Clarion 215

Victor Opferman Mazurka (Wieniawski) Zonophone 696

Victor Opferman Paderewski Minuet (Paderewski) with Olly Oakley (banjo) Gennett 4675-A