Kubelik, Jan

1880-

One of the most popular violin virtuosos of the present, considered by many as a second Paganini. His parents were of Czech origin and he was born at Michle, a little town near Prague. His father, who was a market-gardener of very scanty means, had a good deal of musical ability, playing several instruments and conducting a village orchestra, and his ambition for his son, Jan, whose talent was apparent from the first, was very great. The boy was given his first lessons by his father with such good results, that when only eight years old he appeared in public at Prague, playing a Vieuxtemps concerto. At the age of twelve he entered the Prague Conservatory of Music and remained there for six years, under the special care of Seveik. In 1898 he appeared twice at student musical events with marked success; but just before his first great public triumph, his father, who had hoped so much for him, died, leaving the support of the family largely to the youthful violinist. Late in 1898 he appeared at Vienna and from that time his success was assured. Other performances soon followed at Budapest, many of the large Italian cities and Paris. His appearance at a Richter concert and some concerts of his own at London, in 1900, made him enormously popular in England and his American visit in 1902 was not less successful. After this tour he returned to England and the English Provinces, and also traveled on the Continent, where, however, he is less popular than in England and America. n 1903 he married Countess Czaky Szell. Kubelik has appeared many times before the Royalty of Europe. He was decorated with the Order of St. Gregory by Pope Leo XIII.; at London he was presented with the Beethoven grand medal of honor by the Philharmonic Society, and at Belgrade was given a decoration by King Alexander. The virtuoso is a small, slender, young man, absolutely lacking in affectation. The marvelous impression which he makes upon his audience is created by his music alone. Technical difficulties are of no concern to him and he takes an almost childish delight in conquering them. He considers showy music requiring merely mechanical mastery far below the level of the simpler type containing more sentiment. Expression is his chief aim, and his music is wonderful for its melody and singing quality. E. H. Krehbiel says of him: " There is nothing that the violin has been asked to say that he cannot bring to utterance in a manner that compels amazed attention. He is a wonderful youth, and if he shall turn out to be the greatest violinist of the next half century his severest critics today will not be surprised."