Jakob Dont was an Austrian violinist, composer, and teacher. He was born and died in Vienna. His father Valentin Dont was a noted cellist. Jakob was a student of Josef Böhm and of Georg Hellmesberger. At the age of sixteen, he became a member of the Hofburgtheater orchestra and in 1834 entered service at the Vienna Hofkapelle. During this time Dont appeared frequently as a soloist. Despite his success, he decided against a career as a soloist. In 1853 he became a professor at the Pädagogisches Institut in Vienna. From 1871, Dont was employed at the Wiener Konservatorium. He would eventually leave this post as the use of his own instructional compositions was forbidden. Dont's compositions are mainly limited to innovative teaching material. His 24 Etudes and Caprices Gradus ad parnassum Op. 35 and the 24 Exercises Preparatory to the Studies of R. Kreutzer and P. Rode Op. 37 are considered some of the most important technical studies for the violin. Among his students was Leopold Auer.
Selected works
;Concertante
3 Caprices de concert for violin and orchestra, Op. 40
Morceau de concert in D minor for violin and orchestra, Op. 41
;Chamber music
Introduction et variations brillantes in E major for violin and piano, Op. 21
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Alessandro Stradella" by Friedrich von Flotow for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "La part du diable" by Daniel Auber for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Das Nachtlager in Granada" by Conradin Kreutzer for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Ernani" by Giuseppe Verdi for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Die Zigeunerin" by Michael William Balfe for violin and piano
Introduction et rondeau brillant for violin and piano, Op. 34
Introduction et variations in A major for violin and piano, Op. 36
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Der Förster" by Friedrich von Flotow for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi for violin and piano
Potpourri on Themes from the Opera "Macbeth" by Giuseppe Verdi for violin and piano
Gradus ad Parnassum: Easy Duettinas for Use as Practice Pieces for Beginners for 2 violins, Op. 26
4 Etudes for violin, Op. 30
6 Etudes for violin, Op. 33
24 Etudes et Caprices for violin, Op. 35
Gradus ad Parnassum: 24 Etudes and Caprices for violin, Opp. 18, 20, 30, 33, 35
Gradus ad Parnassum: 24 Preparatory Exercises to Kreutzer and Rode Etudes for violin, Op. 37
Gradus ad Parnassum: 20 Progressive Exercises for violin with accompaniment of a second violin, Op. 38
Scales for violin, Op. 39
Supplement to Kreutzer's "Etudes or Caprices"
Theoretical and Practical Contribution to Supplement Violin Methods and Facilitate Teaching for violin, Op. 49 ; 8 volumes
12 Übungen aus der Violinschule von L. Spohr, mit erläuternden Anmerkungen, Ergänzungen des Fingersatzes, der Bogenstricharten und der Tonschattirungen
Gradus ad Parnassum: Collection of Polyphonic Music for Practice in Ensemble Playing for violins, Op. 52 ; 6 volumes
Gradus ad Parnassum: 6 Studies for violin, Op. 54 ; supplement to Op. 35
Gradus ad Parnassum: 6 Caprices for violin, Op. 55 ; supplement to Op. 35
Scales and Cadenzas with Systematic Fingering and Position Changes for violin, Op. 60
Gradus ad Parnassum: Caprices and Cadenzas for violin, Op. 61
Exercises in the Art of Bowing with Shifting in the First Three Positions for 2 violins, Op. 62
