Ondricek, Franz

1859

Also spelled Ondriczek. Excellent violinist; born at Prague. His parents were Austrians. His father was violinist of the National Theatre and conductor of a band, of which Franz became a member when only seven. At fourteen he entered the Prague Conservatory, and, after three years there gave a concert, in 1876, at which he was embraced by Wieniawski, so thoroughly did that virtuoso approve his playing. A rich merchant thereupon sent him to the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under Massart, and, after gaining the first prize in two years' time, he played at the Pasdeloup concerts at Paris and in other cities of France. He visited Brussels and London, appeared at Berlin and other German cities. in Russia, Holland and Italy, as well as the Orient. In America, whither he came in 1896, he has also achieved the same success that attended him on his European tours. His repertory includes the classic and the modern of all countries, but he is perhaps at his best in Dvorak's Concerto in A minor.