David Popper

David Popper was a Czech cellist and composer born in Prague in 1843. He studied at the Prague Conservatory and became principal cellist of the Budapest Opera at age 25. Popper toured extensively as a virtuoso soloist across Europe and composed over 80 works for cello, including the popular four-volume High School of Cello Playing etudes. His concertos and salon pieces remain staples of the cello repertoire. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music in Budapest until his death in 1913.