Fritz Kreisler

Fritz Kreisler
Born(1875-02-02)February 2, 1875
Vienna, Austria-Hungary
DiedJanuary 29, 1962(1962-01-29) (aged 86)
Occupation(s)Composer, violinist
Years active1903–1950
External audio
Listen to Fritz Kreisler performing Alt-Wiener Tanzweisen (Liebesfreud – Love's Joy), Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow) and Schön Rosmarin (Lovely Rosemary) in 1943 at archive.org

Friedrich "Fritz" Kreisler (February 2, 1875 – January 29, 1962) was an Austrian-born American violinist and composer. One of the most noted violin masters of his day, he was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing, with marked portamento and rubato. 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.