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Classical music enthusiasts can be grateful that the era of recording music had dawned in time to record some of the violinist Fritz Kreisler's performances. His unique phrasing and distinctive tone (helped in no small part by some of the fine instruments he had in his possession produced by luthiers of the calibre of Stradivari, Bergozoni and Guarneri) became his trademark and he leaves behind a recording legacy to be appreciated by future generations of violin lovers. Kreisler was born into an Austro-Hungarian Jewish family but after being baptised at the age of 12 he studied for a short period at the Vienna Conservatory and then began a year-long tour of American concert halls in 1888 at the age of 13. After returning to Austria he applied to join the Vienna Philharmonic but was rejected and turned his attention to medicine. After a short spell in the army he returned to music and began a series of American tours which really started to establish his international reputation. After many decades at the top of his profession he retired from performing in 1950 at the age of 75. He died of a heart condition in 1962 at the age of 86, and his body is interred in a private mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetry, The Bronx, New York.
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