Kreisler, Fritz

Originally composed for violin and piano. Attributed by Kreisler to Pugnani when first published by Carl Fischer in 1910. This transcription 1919.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Praeludium und Allegro / A. Pugnani- F. Kreisler. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52596205

Fritz Kreisler (b. Feb. 2, 1875, in Vienna; d. Jan. 29, 1962, in New York) was a violinist and composer.

From the description of Fritz Kreisler collection, 1845-1966 (bulk 1910-1955). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 658833544

Originally composed for violin and piano. Attributed by Kreisler to Pugnani when first published by Schott in 1910. This transcriptioin 1941; first performance Indianapolis, 3 November 1945, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Fabien Sevitzky conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Preludium and Allegro / Fritz Kreisler ; transc. Fabien Sevitzky. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52596208

Violinist and composer. Born in Vienna, international career.

From the description of Fritz Kreisler collection, 1845-1966 (bulk 1910-1955). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70984236

From the description of Fritz Kreisler collection, 1845-1966 (bulk 1910-1955). 1845-1966. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 30069890

American violinist and composer of Austrian birth.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (3), dated, and typewritten letter signed : New York, 13, 16 and 29 May 1920 [and n.p., n.d.], to Harry Harkness Flagler, 1920 May 13, 16, and 29 and n.d. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270578976

From the description of Notes (2), one signed "Fritz & Harriet," one on his visiting card : [n.p., n.d.], to Mrs. Florence Graves, 1923 May 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270578978

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : Tatranská Polianka, 29 July 1928 to Breitkopf & Härtel in Berlin, 1928 July 29. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270670687

Originally composed for violin and piano, and attributed by Kreisler to Pugnani when first published in 1910. This transcription 1930. First performance Rochester, N.Y, 21 January 1940, Rochester Civic Orchestra, Guy Fraser Harrison conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Praeludium und allegro / Fritz Kreisler ; arr. for orchestra by Herman Rudin. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52596194

Originally composed for violin and piano, and attributed by Kreisler to Pugnani when first published in 1910.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Praeludium and allegro / Pugnani-Kreisler. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 76952408

Biographical Sketch

• 1875, Feb. 2: Born in Vienna to Samuel and Anna Kreisler
• 1882 - 1885 : Studied at the Vienna Conservatory with Joseph Hellmesberger (violin) and Anton Bruckner (harmony and theory)
• 1885: Won gold medal of the Vienna Conservatory
• 1885 - 1887 : Studied in Paris with Joseph Lambert Massart (violin) and Léo Delibes (composition)
• 1887: Won Premier Grand Prix of the Paris Conservatoire
• 1888, Nov. 9: While on tour with pianist Moriz Rosenthal, made American debut with the Boston Symphony conducted by Walter Damrosch
• 1890 - 1896 : Spent two years at Piaristen Gymnasium to pass his Abitur Took two years of pre-medical training Spent two years as a soldier in the Kaiserjäger Regiment of Austrian army
• 1896 - 1898 : Frequented the Tonkünstlerverein and Café Grünsteidl in Vienna with Brahms, Joachim, Wolf, Heuberer, and Hellmesberger
• 1899 - 1902 : Performed in concerts in the United States and throughout Europe and Scandinavia
• 1902 Nov.: Married Harriet Woerz (née Lies) in New York City
• 1910 Sept.: Copyrighted Caprice Viennois, Liebesfreud, Tambourin Chinois, and Liebeslied
• 1910, Nov. 10: Performed world premiere of Elgar's Violin Concerto in B minor, which is dedicated to him
• 1914 Aug.: Served one year as a lieutenant in the Austro-Hungarian army
• 1915: Published Four Weeks in the Trenches with Macmillan & Company
• 1917 - 1919 : Retired from performing for money due to American resentment over his service in the Austro-Hungarian army
• 1919 - 1935 : Performed throughout the world, including the Near and Far East, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, and South America
• 1921: Wrote "Music and Life" for The Mentor
• 1932, Dec. 23: Premiere in Vienna, of his operetta Sissy, the Rose from Bavaria-land
• 1935, Mar. 3: After Kreisler was questioned by Harold Spivacke about the actual provenance of the Classical Manuscripts, Olin Downes reveals in the New York Times that the series is Kreisler's own original compositions rather than transcriptions
• 1938 May: Awarded the French Legion of Honor; assumed French citizenship (officially granted in May 1939)
• 1940 - 1945 : Made charitable appearances to benefit organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Metropolitan Opera Association Fund, and the Musician's Emergency Fund
• 1941, Apr. 27: Skull fractured in traffic accident in New York City
• 1942 Oct.: Successful return to concert stage at Carnegie Hall
• 1944, July 7: Radio debut on the Bell Telephone Hour with the NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Voorhees
• 1947, Nov. 1: Final concert at Carnegie Hall
• 1949 Jan.: Public auction at Parke-Bernet Galleries of Kreisler's rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts earned over $120,000 for the Golden Rule Foundation and Lenox Hill Hospital
• 1962, Jan. 29: Died, New York City

From the guide to the Fritz Kreisler Collection, 1845-1969, (bulk 1910-1955), (Music Division Library of Congress)