Friml, Rudolf, 1879-1972

Charles Rudolf Friml was born on Dec. 7, 1879 in Prague, Czechoslovakia; studied composition with Antonín Dvořák and piano with Josef Jiránek at the Prague Conservatory (1900-3); was accompanist for the violinist Jan Kubelík on tours of Europe and the US (1900-6); settled in the US in 1906, performing his First piano concerto with Walter Damrosch and the New York Symphony Orchestra; gained a reputation for his keyboard improvisations, character pieces, lyrical salon dances, etudes, violin and cello pieces and songs, some written under the pseudonym Roderick Freeman; wrote 30 operettas and revue scores; moved to Hollywood in 1925, adapting his works and writing new scores for films; compositions include The firefly (1912), Rose Marie (1924), The vagabond king (1925), and The three musketeers (1928); he died on Nov. 12, 1972 in Los Angeles.

From the description of Collection of musical compositions, 1905-1968. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 41598284

Moving-picture director.

From the description of Reminiscences of Rudolf Friml : oral history, 1971. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 86131832

Biographical Note

Charles Rudolf Friml was born on Dec. 7, 1879 in Prague, Czechoslovakia; studied composition with Antonfn Dvorßk and piano with Josef Jirßnek at the Prague Conservatory (1900-3); was accompanist for the violinist Jan Kubelfk on tours of Europe and the US (1900-6); settled in the US in 1906, performing his First piano concerto with Walter Damrosch and the New York Symphony Orchestra; gained a reputation for his keyboard improvisations, character pieces, lyrical salon dances, etudes, violin and cello pieces and songs, some written under the pseudonym Roderick Freeman; wrote 30 operettas and revue scores; moved to Hollywood in 1925, adapting his works and writing new scores for films; compositions include The firefly (1912), Rose Marie (1924), The vagabond king (1925), and The three musketeers (1928); he died on Nov. 12, 1972 in Los Angeles.

From the guide to the Rudolf Friml Collection, 1905-1968, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Performing Arts Special Collections)