Fritz Kreisler

Classical Music / Composers Datebook:  February 2  

 

Fritz Kreisler was an Austrian and later American composer and violinist. At the age of 13, he made his American debut in Steinway Hall, New York City.

Friedrich "Fritz" Kreisler (February 2, 1875 – January 29, 1962), Austrian-born American violinist and composer. He was one of the most noted violin masters of his day, and regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time. Kreisler was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing. Like many great violinists of his generation, he produced a characteristic sound which was immediately recognizable as his own. Although it derived in many respects from the Franco-Belgian school, his style is nonetheless reminiscent of the gemütlich (cozy) lifestyle of pre-war Vienna. 

Kreisler wrote a number of pieces for the violin, some of them in the style of other composers, in particular, emotionally committed performances of the Beethoven and Brahms violin concerti. Many of these works were originally ascribed to earlier composers such as Giuseppe Tartini and Antonio Vivaldi until Kreisler revealed in 1935 that they were actually by him.

He is famous for romantic short pieces, for example:  "Liebesfreud" (Love's joy), "Liebesleid" (Love's sorrow) and "Schön Rosmarin", among others.  

Initially, I shared one of Kreisler's most popular short pieces, "Liebesleid" (Love's Sorrow),  performed by two virtuosi: Gidon Kremer and Martha Argerich. My apology, this video is no longer available at Youtube and I've replaced it with "Liebeleid" performed by the great violinist Isaac Stern. NOTE: Title is intended to be "Liebesleid" (love's sorrow)  instead of "Liebeslied" which means love song.   

Kreisler's Schön Rosmarin interpreted by violinist Maxim Vengerov. 

When critics complained, Kreisler answered that critics had already deemed the compositions worthy: "The name changes, the value remains."  He also wrote operettas (including Apple Blossoms), a string quarter and cadenzas, including one for Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto. His cadenza for Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto is the one most often employed by violinists today.


Video Credit:

Fritz Kreisler: Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow) Isaac Stern. Youtube, uploaded by Polar Music Prize. Accessed February 2, 2023.    

Violinist Maxim Vengerov plays Kreisler's Schön Rosmann. Youtube, uploaded by Musique Live. Accessed February 2, 2023.

Resources:

Fritz Kreisler. en.wikipedia.org. 

Legendary Violinists: Fritz Kreisler.  Thirteen.org.  Accessed November 10, 2014 

 

(c) February 2, 2015.  Updated February 2, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.