Friedrich Wilhelm Rust

F.W. Rust was the patriarch of a prominent family of German musicians. He was a renowned violinist and capable pianist. Indicative of his virtuosity on the violin are his compositions for that instrument requiring great technical articulation. Rust studied violin and keyboard with Muller, violin with Benda and composition with C.P.E. Bach in Potsdam. In service to Leopold III and the Dessau court, Rust attempted to make Dessau a prominent musical center. He was appointed the court director of music in 1775. Rust's most noted composition for the violin was the D minor solo sonata. ~ Keith Johnson