Josephine Kryl (1897 — November 20, 1960) was an American violinist.
Josephine Kryl | |
|---|---|
 Josephine Kryl, from a 1914 publication. | |
| Born | 1897 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 20, 1960 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Violinist |
Early life edit
Josephine Kryl was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Bohumir Kryl and Mary Jerabek Kryl. Her father was a cornetist from Bohemia. Her mother was born in Vienna, Austria. Her younger sister Marie Kryl also became a professional musician, as a pianist.[1]
Josephine Kryl studied with Leon Semetini,[2] Leopold Auer,[3] and Eugène Ysaÿe.[4]
Career edit
The Kryls performed together through Josephine's adolescence, sometimes as a family, and sometimes just the sisters.[5] At the start of World War I Josephine Kryl was a teenager, studying in Belgium with Ysäye. Before she could return to the United States, she heard bombardments nearby, saw spies arrested, and survived an attack on a train.[6] After her marriage, she continued to appear with her father and sister in concert.[7]
As a soloist, Josephine Kryl appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1915,[8] in recitals with Emmy Destinn in 1917,[9] and with the Rochester Symphony in the 1930s.[10] "Josephine Kryl has many natural gifts of temperament and talent," noted one report in 1920. "To these she adds a firmly grounded knowledge of her instrument acquired in exhaustive study which was started at an early age."[11]
Personal life edit
Bohumir Kryl was wealthy.[12] In 1921, he openly offered each daughter $100,000 if they would postpone marriage until they were thirty years old,[13] hoping the publicized offer would give them incentive to make their music careers a priority.[14] Josephine Kryl married composer and conductor Paul Thomas White in 1922, forfeiting that reward.[15][16]"Paul and I are going to do a great deal in music this year," she explained to reporters. "It is silly to say one has to give up music for love."[17] They had four daughters. Josephine Kryl White died in 1960, aged 63 years, in Rochester, New York.[18]
Her grandson Paul Yancich is principal timpani with the Cleveland Orchestra.[19] Another grandson, Mark Yancich, is principal timpani with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.[20]
References edit
- ^ "Bohumir Kryl" Lyceum News (February 1913): 8.
- ^ "Wizard Kryl to be Heard" Lyceumite and Talent (March 1913): 43.
- ^ "Marie Kryl Narrowly Escapes Drowning in Lake George" Musical America (August 10, 1918): 12.
- ^ "Describes Ysaye's Patriotism" Lyceum News (September 1914): 12.
- ^ "Furnish Music for Municipal Benefit" Lyceum News (January 1915): 15.
- ^ "Back from Belgium" Lyceum News (September 1914): 3.
- ^ "Band Will Stay Over in City" Sarasota Herald-Tribune (March 3, 1928): 10.
- ^ "Soloist with Thomas Orchestra" Lyceum News (December 1915): 11.
- ^ "Mr. Bohumir Kryl" Musical Messenger (March 1917): 1.
- ^ Jewel Curry, "Tarpon Girl Keeps Alive Art of Famous Violinist" Tampa Bay Times (May 17, 1931): 2. via Newspapers.com
- ^ "Lyceum Course on the Way" Carry On (November 1920): 46.
- ^ "Bohumir Kryl Has Amassed a Fortune" Lyceum Magazine (February 1920): 35.
- ^ "Love and Twins — $100,000 and Fame – Which?" Philadelphia Inquirer (December 17, 1922): 83. via Newspapers.com
- ^ "Cupid Robs World of Many Great Women Musicians" Lyceum News (June–July 1915): 6.
- ^ Paige Lush, Music in the Chautauqua Movement: From 1874 to the 1930s (McFarland 2013): 55. ISBN 9780786473151
- ^ "$100,000 Husband!" South Bend News-Times (November 12, 1922): 22. via Hoosier State Chronicles
- ^ "Loses Father's $100,000 by Marrying Before 30" New York Times (October 18, 1922): 40. via ProQuest
- ^ "Mrs. Paul White" New York Times (November 25, 1960): 27. via ProQuest
- ^ Paul Yancich, The Cleveland Orchestra.
- ^ Mark Yancich, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
External links edit
- A publicity photo of Josephine Kryl with her father and sister, from "Traveling Culture: Circuit Chautauqua in the Twentieth Century", Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections Department.