Biography
A composer and violinist of note, Ernst produced both the "Concerto Pathetique" and "Elegie," works that capture his distinctive romantic sensibility and depth of feeling. These compositions stand among the highest achievements in violin technique, a distinction shared by his "Six Polyphonic Studies," which present unaccompanied solo violin playing at its most accomplished. He received violin instruction from Boehm and trailed Paganini throughout the latter’s concert itinerary. After hearing the composer perform them once, Ernst could execute Paganini’s unpublished pieces from memory. The demonstration so struck Paganini that the two musicians soon shared a stage in Marseilles. Ernst further enjoyed strong success with appearances at London’s Haymarket, the city that became his permanent residence, where he was hailed as the finest living violinist. In the years after Paganini’s death, both Joachim and Mendelssohn named Ernst the greatest violinist of the age. He also performed under the direction of Hector Berlioz.