Jan Kubelík

Jan Kubelík (July 5, 1880 – December 5, 1940) was a Czech violinist and composer

His father discovered his talent when he was five years old, and sent him to study with Karel Weber and Karel Ondříček. When he was eight, he began to study at the Prague Conservatory, and his professor was Otakar Ševčík. After 1898 he toured as a soloist and soon became known for his virtuosity, impeccable intonation and his full and noble tone.

He achieved great success with his debuts in Vienna and London, and toured in the USA for the first time in 1901. Later, in the 1901-02 season, Kubelik made his first appearance with the Royal Philharmonic Society of London. In 1902 he was awarded the Society's Gold Medal (succeeding Eugène Ysaÿe).

In 1903 he married Countess Anna Julie Marie Széll von Bessenyö, niece of the former Prime Minister of Hungary, Kálmán Széll. They had eight children together; among their children is the conductor and composer Rafael Kubelík.

Kubelík played a Stradivarius violin from 1715.

He died in Prague on December 5, 1940 at the age of 60.

References

Category:1880 births
Category:1940 deaths
Category:Czech composers
Category:20th-century composers
Category:Violinists
Category:Musicians from Prague