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|| About the Collection ||
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) is known predominantly for his artistry as a violinist, particularly in performances of his own transcriptions and cadenzas, but he is also worthy of note as a composer. Born in Austria, he began violin at the age of four with his father, and gained admission to the Musikverein Konservatorium three years later. He gave his first performance there at the age of nine. Kreisler left the Konservatorium ? in 1887, and from the age of 12 had no further instruction. In December of 1899 he made his dèbut with the Berlin Philharmonic under Nikisch, a performance which marked the beginning of an international career. Included among the holographs are several works of the Klassische Manuskripte series, a set of fourteen pieces for violin and piano that were thought to be Kreisler's transcriptions of classical works until 1935, when it was revealed that they were his original compositions. Kreisler was a unique musician. With relatively little practice he achieved nearly effortless perfection. Although he had a small tone, his phrasing, technique and bowing were all nearly flawless, and most violinists in the 20th century acknowledge indebtedness to Kreisler whether it be for his bowing style, his fingering, or his early use of vibrato.
|| Collection Details ||
General
- Span Dates
- 1845-1966
- Bulk Dates
- 1910-1955
- Major Language(s)
- English, German
- Repository
- Music Division, Library of Congress
Physical Collection
- Number of Items
- 1,800
- Number of Containers
- 22
- Linear Feet
- 14
- Contents
- Holographs of original compositions, including sketches, transcriptions of other composers' music, manuscript and printed, correspondence, financial and legal documents, programs, clippings, photographs, and awards and honors. Also includes papers of Kreisler biographer Louis Lochner, personal papers of Kreisler and material related to the biography. Additional gifts from Fritz Kreisler to the Library of Congress include the holograph scores for the Violin Concerto in D by Johannes Brahms, Ernest Chausson’s Poème, and a 1733 Guarneri del Gesù violin. A large oil portrait of Kreisler, painted by Howard Chandler Christy in 1943, was added to the Kreisler Collection by Harriet Kreisler.
- Processing History
- Processed, 1992
- Provenance
- Gift of Fritz Kreisler, 1966, the Kreisler estate, 1970-1971, and Louis Lochner, 1960
Access/Copyright
- Access Permissions
- Permitted, subject to PARR policies and procedures
- Copyright Info
- http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
- Preferred Citation
- Fritz Kreisler Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress
