Karel Ondříček

Karel Ondříček (January 1, 1865 Prague-Hradcany^[1] – March 30, 1943, Boston, USA, sometimes 'Karl'^[2]) was a Czech violin virtuoso.

Life

Like his older brother František Ondříček, Karel received his basic musical education from his father, Jan Ondříček. Later he was educated privately under Antonín Bennewitz and at the Prague Conservatory. However, he did not finish his course at the Conservatory. For a brief period he played in his father's orchestra. He became a military band conductor, performed as a solo violinist in chamber ensembles, and taught music. Among his pupils was Jan Kubelík.

He was involved in premiere performances of several pieces by Antonin Dvořák, including the String Quartet No. 1, the Terzetto in C,^[3] the 'Cypresses' for string quartet, and the Romantic Pieces.

During the years 1887-1893 he was Concertmaster of the National Theatre in Prague. In 1893 he received an offer from America, which he accepted. He performed at the World's Fair in Chicago and became Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra of the Music-Hall in Boston.^[4]

He played second violin in the Kneisel Quartet from 1899-1902, and about 1910 led his own musical trio.^[5]

References

Literature

• Czechoslovak musical dictionary of individuals and institutions II. (M-Ž), 1965, State Music Publishing, Prague, p. 224

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karel Ondříček.