Personendetails

Ferdinand Laub

Laub, Ferdinand (1832-1875). Czech violinist and composer. Among the leading violin virtuosi of the nineteenth century, he studied at the Prague Conservatory (1843-1846) and then for four years moved to Vienna where he appeared at the Imperial court. From 1850 he engaged himself in concert tours throughout Europe before settling for a period (1855-1862) in Berlin where he became professor of violin at the local Conservatoire, and according to Mercy’s Anzeiger 29/3/1857 was engaged as teacher of violin in the Neue Akademie der Tonkunst. From 1866 until 1874 he taught at the Moscow Conservatoire. He returned on occasion to Prague to perform in concerts and in the summer of 1854, according to Lumír 13/7/1854 to be married. He composed several works for his own instrument, as well as some Czech songs.

Tagesboute aus Böhmen 21/2/1857 reported that ‘Ferdinand Laub, who is expected to visit his native city of Prague again in the near future, has, according to the report of a German newspaper, passed the winter in uncommonly lively artistic activity. A cycle of Quartet soriées organized by him in Berlin gained the liveliest reception. The time brought concert trips to Stettin [Szczecin], Danzig [Gdansk], Dessau and elsewhere, and allowed him to compose a great Violin Concerto with orchestra.’ The same newspaper reported on 9/7/1857 that Laub was undertaking with Wilhem Graf a tour ‘of the most exquisite Bohemian Spas’ in which they were giving musical soirées. A week later Tagesbote aus Böhmen 16/7/1857 reported that ‘The Royal Prussian Chamber Virtuoso Mr Ferdinand Laub, on the request of several friends, will in the company of the piano virtuoso Graf give a concert in Pilsen [Plseň].’ Evidently Laub then spent some time with Graf performing in the vicinity of the Bohemian Spas. Tagesbote aus Böhmen 6/8/1857 related that ‘The two virtuosi and composers Laub and Graf, the day before yesterday were in Marienbad, where they gave a second concert with particular success, and will be coming here [to Prague]...’

Prager Morgenpost 4/10/1863 published news that ‘Ferdinand Laub, Royal Prussian Chamber Virtuoso, will give concerts in Königrätz, Chrudim and Czaslau. [Hradec Králové, Chrudím and Časlav].’

Events in which this person was a composer:

Events in which this person participated as a soloist