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Phone: 212-860-5541 * Fax: 917-677-8247
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Price: $1000.00 |
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A FEW CREASES & SOME DISCOLORATION ON MAT FROM PRIOR FRAMING & LIGHT SILVERING AT EDGES, PRICED ACCORDINGLY |
FRANTIŠEK ONDŘÍČEK - VIOLINIST |
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Jumbo autographed and inscribed 12” x 14” presentation photograph by František Drtikol of the legendary violinist to the Milanese concert manager-promoter Alfredo Carlotti, Prague, 23 July, 1920. The photograph is blind embossed on the bottom right hand border and on the bottom left on the image itself. The photograph itself is remarkably rare on two accounts, interestingly, the most evident item of importance, is the photographer, František Drtikol, (1883-1961) who was the most important Bohemian photographer of his day. Drtikol’s photographs are regularly sold at the most important photography auctions throughout the World. His nudes bring in tens of thousands of dollars, his other photographs bring in less, but we are a bargain at our listed price by comparison. Second, František Ondříček, (1857-1922) the subject and the signer was the most important Czech violinist of his day. The violinist studied at the Prague Conservatory with Antonin Bennewitz. He was taken to Henryk Wieniawski, who was so enthralled with his talent, that he recommended him to his teacher, Joseph Massart at the Paris Conservatoire. After two years of study with Massart, he was awarded first prize at the Conservatory and Massart described him as the second coming of Wieniawski. Ondříček became a regular on the violinist circuit of Europe and in 1896, the United States. A great friend of Antonin Dvorak, the composer wrote his Romance in F minor op. 11 for the violinist and dedicated it to him. Ondříček also gave the World premier of the Dvorak violin Concerto op. 53 in October of 1883. The work was originally commissioned by Joachim, though after a number of arguments between the violinist and composer, the work was given to Ondříček and then dedicated to him. Ondříček was given numerous awards during his lifetime by the reigning heads of State of Europe, however, none was more meaningful to him than an honorary membership to the London Philharmonic Society in 1891. He made records both by himself, with orchestra and with his quartet which bore his name. An interesting sideline in Ondříček’s life was the “Paganini Affair.” In 1893, the violinist was “honored” by Nicolo Paganini’s son, Count Achille Paganini to attend the opening of his Father’s coffin to inspect the body. Strad Magazine of June 1893, reported that the body was so heavily embalmed, that he could still be recognized. What was not reported was that Ondříček’s wife was so revolted, she ran from the cemetery! An important photograph! |
