Description

KRESZ GÉZA (GÉZA DE KRESZ) (BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 11 JUNE, 1882 – TORONTO, CANADA, 2 OCTOBER, 1959)

 

 

 

 

He studied 1892-7 with Alajos Gobbi and 1897-1900 with Jenö Hubay at the National Cons in Budapest, graduating in 1900. He continued his studies 1900-02 at the Prague Cons with Otakar Ševčík, receiving a second diploma in 1902. For the following three years he was a pupil of Eugène Ysaÿe in Brussels and at Godinne-sur-Meuse (where he met and played quartets with Boris Hambourg) and also studied composition in Brussels with Théophile Ysaÿe and in Paris with Albert Lavignac. He had some violin lessons in 1905 with Jacques Thibaud in Paris. De Kresz made his debut in Vienna in 1906, was concertmaster 1907-9 of the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, and appeared as soloist with many European orchestras. In Bucharest 1909-15 he taught at the State Cons, was concertmaster of the Bucharest SO, and led the Carmen Sylva String Quartet, at the royal court of Rumania. He went to Berlin in 1915 and was concertmaster 1917-21 of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and a teacher 1919-23 at the Stern Cons. In 1918 he married the pianist Norah Drewett, with whom he gave duo-recitals after they moved – at the prompting of Boris Hambourg – to Toronto in 1923. The duo’s first Canadian recital was in Massey Hall 30 Oct 1923; they toured Canada and continued to perform as a duo until 1951. De Kresz taught at the Hambourg Conservatory and played first violin in the Hart House String Quartet (until 1935). He appeared as soloist with the New SO and the TSO, was a member 1924-5 of the Hambourg Trio, and founded and conducted 1930-4 the Little Symphony, a chamber orchestra. He spent many summers in Europe teaching at the University of Vienna and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and performing. He remained in Budapest 1935-47, teaching at the Liszt Academy of Music and the National Cons. As director of the latter 1941-7 he instituted one of the first high school curricula in Hungary to combine musical training with academic subjects. After World War II he adjudicated at several international competitions. In 1947 de Kresz and his wife returned to Toronto, where he taught at the RCMT, conducted courses in violin pedagogy, and, until 1955, continued to perform. A recital given in Toronto in May 1955 was recorded on a private label.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg, Adaskin, Blackstone Menuet célèbre (Boccherini) Victor 24001-A
2. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg, Adaskin, Blackstone Old black joe (Foster) Victor 24002-A
3. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg, Adaskin, Blackstone Angel Gabriel (Foster) Victor 24002-B
4. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg, Adaskin, Blackstone Drink to me only with thine eyes (Johnson) Victor 24001-B
5. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg Adaskin, Blackstone Don Juan (Mozart) Reich mir die hand, mein leben pt I HMV 8534 E.W. 30
6. Hart House Streich Quartett with Hambourg, Adaskin, Blackstone Don Juan (Mozart) Reich mir die hand, mein leben pt II HMV 8534 E.W. 30