Kreisler in the style of Kreisler

Synopsis

Today marks the birthday of Viennese violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, born in 1875.

Kreisler’s talent was apparent at an early age, and at 7 he entered the Vienna Conservatory where his theory teacher was Anton Bruckner. Young master Kreisler (as he was known at the time), made his Viennese debut at 9, and his American debut at 13. Edward Elgar composed his Violin Concerto for Kreisler, who premiered the work in London in 1910. The rise of Nazism in the 1930s forced Kreisler to America, where he became a naturalized citizen.

Kreisler made hundreds of recordings, mainly of his own compositions, including original works written in the style of earlier composers. Kreisler’s interest in early music was deep and genuine, as was his passion for old books and ancient languages.

In 1941, while crossing a New York street, he was hit by a truck and nearly killed. Awaking from a month-long coma, the multi-lingual Kreisler could at first only communicate 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, in 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 449 923

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, 68, in Rome

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

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

• 1974 - Belgian composer Jean Absil, 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 - Dvořák: Symphony No. 8, 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