Kreisler in the style of Kreisler

Synopsis

Today marks the birthday anniversary of the Austrian-born American violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, who was born in Vienna on February 2, 1875.

When he was only 4, Kreisler’s musical talent was already apparently, and at 7 he entered the Vienna Conservatory where his theory teacher was Anton Bruckner. As a violinist, young master Kreisler (as he was known at the time), made his Viennese debut at age 9, and his American debut when he was 13. Elgar composed his Violin Concerto for Kreisler, who premiered the work in London in 1910. By that time, Kreisler was famous worldwide.

Fritz Kreisler made hundreds of recordings, mainly of shorter works and most famously of his own compositions for his instrument. These included original works and pieces written in the style of earlier composers. Kreisler’s interest in earlier music was deep and genuine, as was his passion for old books and ancient languages. The rise of Nazism in Germany and Austria forced Kreisler to America, where he became a naturalized citizen.

In 1941, while crossing a New York street, he was hit by a truck and nearly killed. When he awoke from a month-long coma, the multi-linguist Kreisler could at first only communicate to his doctors and family in Latin and ancient Greek. The 66-year-old eventually recovered, however, and continued to perform in public until 1950. He died in New York City, a few days short of his 87th birthday, on January 29, 1962.

Music Played in Today's Program

Fritz Kreisler (1875 — 1962) Violin Concerto (in the style of Vivaldi) Gil Shaham, violin; Orpheus Chamber Orchestra DG 439933

On This Day

Births

• 1669 - French composer and organist Louis Marchand, in Lyons;

• 1813 - Russian composer Alexander Dargomizhsky (Gregorian date: Feb. 14);

• 1873 - Austrian operetta composer Leo Fall, in Olmütz;

• 1875 - Austrian-American composer and violinist Fritz Kreisler, in Vienna;

Deaths

• 1594 - Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, age 68, in Rome;

• 1789 - French composer, organist and harpsichordist Armand-Louis Couperin, age 61, in Paris;

• 1934 - Brazilian composer and pianist Ernesto Nazareth, age 70, in Rio de Janeiro;

• 1974 - Belgian composer Jean Absil, age 80, in Brussels;

Premieres

• 1724 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 83 ("Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde") performed on the Feast of the Purification as part of Bach's first annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1723/24);

• 1725 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 125 ("Mit Fried und Frued ich fahr dahin") performed on the Feast of the Purification as part of Bach's second annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1724/25);

• 1795 - Haydn: Symphony No. 102, in London at the King's Theater, with the composer conducting;

• 1884 - Loeffler: "Fantastic Concerto," by the Boston Symphony, Emil Paur conducting;

• 1890 - Dvorák: Symphony No. 8, Op. 88, in Prague, with the composer conducting;

• 1900 - Chadwick: "Adonais" (Elegiac Overture), by the Boston Symphony, Wilhelm Gericke conducting;

• 1900 - Gustave Charpentier: opera, "Louise," in Paris at the Opéra-Comique;

• 1920 - Stravinsky: ballet, "The Song of the Nightingale," at the Paris Opéra, with choreography by Massine;

• 1921 - Bretan: opera "Luceafarul" (The Evening Star), in Cluj, Romania;

• 1926 - Cowell: String Quartet No. 1 ("Quartett Pedantic"), at Aeolian Hall in New York City by the Ralph Henkle String Quartet;

• 1977 - Ned Rorem: "A Quaker Reader" for organ, in New York City;

• 1978 - Peter Maxwell Davies: Symphony No. 1, in London at Royal Festival Hall, by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Simon Rattle conducting.