Hungarian violinist; born at Presburg March 28, 1835; studied under Hellmesberger and Joseph Böhm (violin), and under Preyer and Nottebohm (composition). His first public performance took place at Vienna in June, 1850. He made several successful concert tours, and in 1857 became acquainted with Piatti, the cellist, with whom he toured Germany and Sweden. In 1859 he was appointed leader of the opera orchestra at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and in the following year he conducted the Museum concerts in the same city. He then visited England, in which country he finally settled in 1864, being engaged as solo violinist at the court orchestra, and also as conductor of the Philharmonic concerts at London, and the Halle concerts at Manchester. For several years he played the viola in the string quartet at the Sunday evening and Monday popular concerts in London. Straus was teacher of the violin at the London Academy of Music, from which position he retired in 1894.
Categories: [Jewish encyclopedia 1906]