The New International Encyclopædia/Benda, Franz

BENDA, bĕn'dȧ, (1709-86). A German violin virtuoso and teacher. He was born at Alt-Benatek, Bohemia, and studied with Löbel, Konicek, and Graun. He joined the orchestra of the Crown Prince &mdash; afterwards Frederick the Great &mdash; with whom he played about 50,000 concertos during a period of forty years. He was considered one of the best performers of his day.