Herma Studeny (4 January 1886 - 28 June 1973) was a German violin virtuoso,[1] composer,[2] and author who is best remembered today for writing the Book of the Violin.[3]
Studeny was born in
Munich[1] to Hermine Niemeczek and medical doctor Alfred S. Studeny. She married the painter Julius Nitsche in 1921.[4]
Studeny made her debut as a violinist in 1903. She attended the
Prague Conservatory, where she studied with
Antonin Dvorak and
Otakar Sevcik, and later with Richard Schrammel.[5] Studeny’s students included Joseph “Nipso” Brantner,[6] Juan Wolfgang Granat,[7] Herbert Hirschmann, Michael Mann, and Gerhard Seitz.[8]
Studeny said that her “credo” was three bars of the Chaconne from Bach’s Partita No. 2.[9] She performed as a soloist, and also formed the Studeny String Quartet in Munich with Alf Beckmann, Lotte Harburger, and Karl List.[10]Guenter Henle sometimes accompanied her on the piano.[11] Her performing career slowed after World War II when she was accused of belonging to the Third Reich’s Chamber of Music, but she eventually resumed performing.[citation needed]
Studeny’s violin book was published by
Gustav Bosse.[12] Her publications include: