(Rare!) Fritz Kreisler's 80th Birthday Interview (Part 1) (1955-02-02)

Quite a rare material. Fritz Kreisler is interviewed by Abraham Chasens, the musical manager of WQXR Radio station, on his 80th birthday, February 2nd, 1955. This was special tribute program broadcasted on that day. And as far as I know, this is the only recording of Kreisler's voice which was commercially available. (except for few other radio transcriptions and newsreel soundtracks).
Before the interview, we can hear "transcribed greetings" of his collegues, Mischa Elman, Yehudi Menuhin, Nathan Milstein, Erica Morini, Joseph Szigeti, Ruggiero Ricci, Isaac Stern.
While the actual interview recordings are playing, you can see the photos of Kreisler and cellist Pablo Casals' having conversation in 1958 (Courtesy of the LIFE magazine)

[@walterjoosten5750]

For me, Fritz Kreisler was the greatest violinist who ever lived on this earth. His style and way of playing were absolutely unique. His way of playing touches the soul in a deep, poetic way.

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

What a Joy to hear so many Great Violinist wishing The Best for their colleague . Vivat for the Maestro Kreisler !

[@greggoryrice7046]

Goes without saying, but no one plays Kriesler like Krielser. It is so sparkling, vibrant and yet tasteful. My father heard hiim in Seattle at the Moore Theatre and even up in the cheap seats, he said the sound of his Guarneri floated up like a miracle.

[@lawrencewhyte1554]

He sounded like a very gracious and genuine person.

[@1940limited]

This is fascinating. I'm so glad someone recorded and preserved this interview.

[@dnp4406]

Misha Elman 0:26 Yehudi Menuhin 1:11 Nathan Milstein 1:31 Erika Morini 1:48 Joseph Szigeti 2:13 Ruggiero Ricci 2:26 Isaac Stern 2:33 Interview 2:59

[@wombat5628]

Jascha Heifetz turned 54 on that same day!

[@edmundwu5634]

Every great violinist from the interview had their own "voice" (speaking and playing) Thank you for sharing!!

[@gmmix]

What an absolute treasure this is.....and the sound is so very good. Thank you for this posting.

[@walshamite]

Very revealing and rewarding to hear the great man and his peers and what amazing audio quality this is! Many thanks for this posting.

[@notaire2]

Listening to this valuable interview and transcribed greetings from his colleagues, I really feel how much the 20th century U.S. owed to these distinguished European performers. I also love to hear their German, Russian, Italian, Hungarian and Jewish accents.

[@georgealderson4424]

...and Austrian and Roman Catholic accents of course since FK was born in Austria and baptised RC!

[@sma1968]

INCREDIBLE!!! I've looked forever to find something live of Kreisler. Thank you!

[@YTM021807]

With cellist Pablo Casals 4:01 Wonderful candid photos!! These clips are lovingly prepared! Thank you !

[@milstein91]

Wow! What a great recording. Thank you!

[@matthewlaurence3121]

It is fascinating hearing these voices of departed souls. I have lived and traveled Europe and participated in the teaching and acquaintanceship of Europeans of many nationalities. What strikes me the most with this is how different they sound. These strong accents with their idiosyncratic inflections are mostly obsolete today, the generations that have grown up since circa 1950, have been well familiarised with the American lifestyle and, particularly those now under 40, totally entrenched in pop-culture, unsympathetically shrugging off their grandparents' mannerisms and mindsets as "alt". When they speak English they retain a foreign accent, yet it is frequently a bizarre mix of exaggerated American annunciations (rhotic Rs and muffled consonants, contrasting sharply with their native way of speaking) and insistently casual phraseology. Germans are still stereotyped as sounding like this when speaking English today, though. Sure enough, you will find the odd one that speaks like this who is not so advanced in years; but I do yearn for a time before English and U.S. pop-culture was so universal and oversaturating.

[@jgunther3398]

It's easy to tell where he learned English. In Woiks, New York City.

[@operalament]

wonderful. a rare treasure.

[@TrumpetBobSr]

A TRUE ARTIST AND GENTLE MAN

[@ernestnordman5525]

Had chance to see and hear fritz Kreisler in 1944. THE VIOLINIST of the period, even now !!!

[@SAIIX100]

How was your experience?

[@mmbmbmbmb]

much valued ~ thank you!

[@user-kg6ct6re2d]

Amazing story !!! When I was young Fritz Kreisler was one of my favorite composers. I wanted to know who is Fritz Kreisler ? While his great compositions were being done I was on the way to this wonderful world of difference .I was 1 year old when he was 80........ I'm glad to see him today !.......

[@meredith218461]

He came across like all great performers with a ''noble purpose'' within their art as humble, far seeing and uniquely creative.

[@Santaferi1]

Super... Génius husľového umenia... ďakujeme...

[@mr.dalton9507]

My God, I love that man! He's my greatest musical inspiration!

[@arashraassi]

🙏🏻👑🎻✨

[@RafaelR-F]

inimitable style is goddamn right

[@j.geraldmorris5972]

I have had my 80 th Gerald and I play the piano .

[@penelopewhite5994]

Evidently, Jascha did not have any birthday greetings(They were both born Feb.2)( different years, of course.

[@nanwijanarko1969]

That Liebesfreud in the beginning :) was it Kreisler who played it? Apparantly so. It's his piece afterall.

[@calatria2949]

Liebesfreud by Kriesler

[@ehwagr]

thanks a lot for this. what piece is played at the beginning of the video? (pardon my ignorance...)

[@allonofer7514]

Liebesfreud by kreisler

[@greid36]

Why did not Mr. Heifetz send a Birthday wish?

[@michaelhughes8896]

June 24, 2017- My guess is that February 2nd was ALSO Mr. Heifetz' birthday. I find it very interesting that both violinists were not wished Happy Birthday on the same commentary. What a shame! Perhaps Mr. Heifetz was left out? Thanks for your comment.

[@mashtali1]

Heifetz was very arrogant, and had no social skills.

[@longeyeballs8573]

@@mashtali1 how can you say that? Have you ever talked to him in person?

[@mashtali1]

@@longeyeballs8573 no, I asked your mom.

[@snow640]

today is his birthday :)

[@jamesten]

WQXR sounds a little different now.

[@sincerus-sincerus793]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpCpYniLaK18aqc Video (!) with Fritz Kreisler and his wife Harriet - arriving to NY.