The solo viola part in Hector Berlioz’s Harold en Italie was performed by Ferdinand Laub in Moscow during the composer's 1868 tour. A prominent violin virtuoso and educator within the Austrian Empire, Laub left a legacy defined by his tenure at the Moscow Conservatory and his contributions to the chamber music repertoire of the nineteenth century.
Early Training and European Tours
Born in Prague in 1832, Ferdinand Laub received his musical foundation from his father, Erasmus. He made his first public appearance at the age of six, followed by a solo concert at the Estates Theatre when he was ten. Between 1843 and 1846, he attended the Prague Conservatory. Following his formal studies, he established an adult career as a virtuoso in Vienna, performing at the imperial court before embarking on an extensive tour across Europe in 1850.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Academic Appointments
Laub spent significant time residing in Weimar and Berlin. From 1855 to 1862, he served as a professor at the Stern Conservatory. His career shifted to Russia in 1866, where he accepted a position as a professor of violin at the Moscow Conservatory. He remained in this role until 1874, teaching students such as Stanisław Barcewicz. During his time in Moscow, he was recognized as a major instrumentalist, famously praised by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who regarded him as the best violinist of the era.
Composition and Final Years
Beyond his performance work, Laub composed numerous pieces for violin and piano, including his Opus 3 Élégie and various Morceaux caractéristiques. He also wrote vocal works such as the Opus 2 Czech Songs. In 1874, his career ended abruptly due to lung disease. He died in 1875 while traveling to a spa in Meran, passing away in Gries-San Quirino near Bolzano. He was interred at the Vyšehrad Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1832, Prague
- Died: 1875, Gries-San Quirino
- Primary instrument: Violin
- Key employer: Moscow Conservatory
- Notable student: Stanisław Barcewicz
- Burial site: Vyšehrad cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Ferdinand Laub’s relationship with Tchaikovsky?
Laub was a performer of Tchaikovsky’s compositions; he played first violin in the premieres of Tchaikovsky's first two string quartets.
Did Ferdinand Laub have any family members who were musicians?
His father, Erasmus Laub, was a musician, and his son, Váša Laub, was also a violinist and composer.
Achievements
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: classical music
