Fritz Kreisler

Bio

Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962) was an Austrian-born violinist and composer who became one of the most celebrated concert artists of the early twentieth century. Renowned for his warm, singing tone and impeccable technique, he toured extensively in Europe and the United States, shaping modern violin performance practice. As a composer he produced numerous short works for violin and piano, many of which remain staples of the repertoire; several pieces originally presented as transcriptions of eighteenth-century composers were later revealed to be his own compositions. Kreisler’s legacy endures through his recordings, pedagogical influence, and the continued popularity of pieces such as “Liebesleid,” “Liebesfreud,” and his arrangement of the “Londonderry Air.”