Jan Hřímalý

Who was Jan Hřímalý?

Jan Hřímalý was an influential Czech violinist and teacher, who was associated with the Moscow Conservatory for 46 years 1869–1915.

He was born in Pilsen, Austro-Hungary, the second son of the organist and composer Vojtěch Hřímalý, and a member of a notable Czech musical family. He was taught by his older brother Vojtěch Hřímalý jr., and by Moritz Mildner. Hřímalý studied violin at the Prague Conservatory, and went on to become leader of the Amsterdam Orchestra. In 1869 he was appointed violin teacher at the Moscow Conservatory. He succeeded Ferdinand Laub as professor of violin studies 1874–1915. He was leader of the Russian Musical Society Orchestra in Moscow from 1874 until 1906.

He was acquainted with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who held him in high regard. He co-premiered Tchaikovsky's String Quartets Nos. 2 and 3. In March 1882, he appeared in the first performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A minor and may have also appeared in the public premiere in October, although this is not certain.