Franjo Krežma facts for kids
Franjo Krežma (born September 4, 1862 – died June 15, 1881) was an amazing Croatian violin player and composer. He was also known as Franz Krezma in places where German was spoken. He achieved a lot in music even though he lived a very short life.
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Early Life and Learning Music
Franjo was born in Osijek, which was part of the Austrian Empire back then. From a very young age, he loved music. It was clear he had a special talent for playing the violin. People quickly saw he was a true violin master, or "virtuoso."
When he moved to Zagreb, a violinist and composer named Đuro Eisenhuth taught him. Franjo played his very first public concert on August 10, 1870, in Sisak. He was only 8 years old! His older sister, Anka, played the piano to help him.
A composer from Zagreb, Leopold Alexander Zellner, noticed Franjo's talent. He recommended Franjo for the music Conservatory in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. Franjo joined when he was just 9 years old, making him the youngest student ever! He even started writing his own music there. He finished his studies before he turned 13, in the summer of 1875.
A Bright Music Career
After finishing school, Franjo Krežma began a fantastic music career across Europe. His sister often joined him on stage. By the time he was 16, people in cities like Rome, Prague, Genoa, Paris, and Venice admired him greatly.
On July 1, 1879, when he was 16, Franjo became the main violinist, or concert master, for Benjamin Bilse's Bilse'sche Kapelle orchestra. This orchestra later became the famous Berlin Philharmonic.
His Final Days and Lasting Impact
Franjo had a successful concert in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on June 6, 1881. Soon after, he got an infection in his inner ear. This quickly turned into a serious brain infection called meningitis.
Doctors tried surgery, but it was too late. Franjo never woke up and passed away on June 15, 1881. He was only 18 years old.
Many famous musicians, like Giuseppe Verdi, Henry Vieuxtemps, and Franz Liszt, respected and admired Franjo Krežma. He even played music with Franz Liszt, both as a violinist and a composer.
Sadly, a fire at his parents' home destroyed some of his music and his valuable violin. But some of his work still exists today. This includes one symphony, three overtures (pieces played at the start of an opera or show), and several marches and dances for an orchestra. He also wrote music for string quartets and other violin pieces.
Today, Franjo Krežma is remembered in his hometown of Osijek. An elementary school is named after him, and there's an international festival for young string instrument players that honors his memory.
Notable Works
- Rêverie za violinu i veliki orkestar u As-duru (1880) - This means "Dream for violin and large orchestra in A-flat major."
Selected Recordings
- Krezma - Lieder by Natasa Antoniazzo, Mia Elezovic. Bella Musica 2021
