Hans Kronold (3 July 1872 – 10 January 1922) was a Polish-born Jewish cellist, composer, educator, and a member of symphony orchestras of New York and Boston. He was the first cellist to have his work recorded on audio, which he did for recording pioneer Gianni Bettini phonograph cylinders in the 1890s.
Life and career Kronold was born in Kraków to Adolph Kronold and Louise (Hirschberg) Kronold. His sister was the opera soprano Selma Kronold; a cousin of Polish pianist and composer Moritz Moszkowski. He had his first musical training in Leipzig, where he studied with Max Kiesling (1866–1930). He lived in Berlin for three years, where he extended his musical education with Professor Richard Vollrath, and piano and harmony with Hans Rasch. In 1886, he emigrated to New York, resuming his studies with cellist Anton Hekking, and S. Vreeman.
Kronold soon joined the Metropolitan Opera and shortly after the New York Symphony Orchestra, where he played for five consecutive seasons. In 1894, he married Rose Fischel and had two daughter, Nora and Sophie Kronold. From 1900, he toured the United States and Canada for five years under the direction of Walter Damrosch, accompanying not only singers and acclaimed violinists such as Maud Powell, but also other renowned instrumentalists of his time. On his return, he quit playing for orchestras and devoted himself to solo-playing and teaching at the New York College of Music. He died in New York on 10 January 1922.
Kronold made a number of 78 RPMs and phonograph cylinder recordings for Columbia Records, and the Thomas A. Edison, Inc., publishing his compositions for cello and piano, violin and piano, and other songs through leading publishing houses such as the Oliver Ditson Company, Carl Fischer Music, and M. Witmark & Sons.
Recordings Cello solo with piano Note: The grey cells in the tables indicate that there is no opus number, name or composer. The m-dashe cells indicate that there is an opus number, name or composer, but that they are currently missing. TitleOpusNameKeyComposerYear NoteRef The Babbling Brook — — — Christiaan Kriens 1895 The Catalog of Copyright Entries lists this composition as having been written by Kronold, but the Witman & Sons catalog lists it as being by Christiaan Kriens. Coquettish Waltz — — — Christiaan Kriens — This composition for violin and piano, is listed as a work by Kriens and Kronold. In fact it was edited by Kronold, but written by Kriens. Source: Todd Dunkel ISBN Index Epitaph Meditation — — — Christiaan Kriens 1895 The Catalog of Copyright Entries lists this composition as having been written by Kronold, but the Witman & Sons catalog lists it as being by Christiaan Kriens. A Sad Song — — — Christiaan Kriens 1895 The Catalog of Copyright Entries lists this composition as having been written by Kronold, but the Witman & Sons catalog lists it as being by Christiaan Kriens. Summer Evening — — — Christiaan Kriens 1895 The Catalog of Copyright Entries lists this composition as having been written by Kronold, but the Witman & Sons catalog lists it as being by Christiaan Kriens. Schwanengesang D. 957 Ständchen — Franz Schubert 1905 Schubert's serenade for violincello solo with piano accompaniment. Recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. Kinderszenen 15 Träumerei — Robert Schumann 1905 Robert Schumann's Träumerei for violincello solo with piano accompaniment. Recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. The Swan 93 — — Camille Saint-Saëns 1906 One of Kronold's most popular cello solos. It is an extract from one of Camille Saint-Saëns' famous work "Carnival of the Animals." Published by the Edison Gold Moulded Record. Simple Aveu 25 — — François Thomé 1906 A piece for cello and piano whose title is translated as "Simple confession". It is stylistically similar to other piano pieces by Cécile Chaminade. Recorded for Edison Gold Moulded Record. Ave Maria CG 89a — — Charles Gounod 1907 Ave Maria for cello solo with piano accompaniment. Recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. Nocturnes 9 No. 2 E-flat major Frédéric Chopin 1907 Chopin's Nocturnes in E-flat major Op. 9, No. 2 for cello solo with piano accompaniment. Recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. The Rosary — — — Ethelbert Nevin 1907 Ethelbert Nevin's The Rosary for cello solo with piano accompaniment. Recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. Handel's Largo HWV 40 Ombra mai fu — George Frideric Handel 1908 Ombra mai fu, also known as Handel's Largo, is the aria from Handel's opera Serse recorded for cello and piano accompaniment for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. Humoreske 101 No. 7 G-flat major Antonín Dvořák 1908 Antonín Dvořák's Op. 101, No. 7 (Humoresques) for cello and piano accompaniment recorded for the Edison Amberol. Tre giorni son che Nina — Canzonetta — Attrib Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 1909 Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Nina (Tre giorni son che Nina) recorded for cello and piano accompaniment for the Edison Amberol. Adoration — — D major Felix Borowski 1910 A nocturne originally for violin and piano; arranged for cello and piano by Kronold. Wiegenlied — — — Alice Verne-Bredt 1913 This composition (Lullaby) is one from the English composer Alice Verne-Bredt (1864-1958), recorded in 1913 by Kronold who maintained its primary title. The Little Red Lark — — — — 1913 Traditional Irish folk-song. Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms — — — Thomas Moore 1913 Traditional Irish folk-song. Canzonetta — — — Alfredo D'Ambrosio 1913 Published by Phonograph Co. Melody in F 3 No. 2 F major Anton Rubinstein 1913 Anton Rubinstein's Op. 3, No. 1 (Melody in F) for cello and piano accompaniment recorded for the Edison Gold Moulded Record. The Valley Lay Smiling Before Me — — — Thomas Moore 1913 An eighteenth-century Irish ballad attributed to Thomas Moore's Irish Melodies. A recording released by Pathé Records. Eili Eili — — — — 1913 Hebrew-Yiddish cry of anguish to God. A recording released by Pathé Records. Kol Nidre 47 — — Max Bruch 1913 Recording released by Pathé Records. The Willow Tree — — — — 1913 Traditional Irish folk-song. Recording released by Pathé Records My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice 47 — — Camille Saint-Saëns 1913 A song from the opera Samson et Dalila. A recording released by the Edison Phonograph.
Violin solo with piano TitleOpusNameKey ComposerYear NoteRef Douce Rencontre — — — Jean Gabriel-Marie 1913 Recorded for Columbia (USA). Andante Religioso — — — Joseph Hollman 1913 Recorded for Columbia (USA).
Cello solo with orchestra TitleOpusNameKeyComposerYear NoteRef To The Evening Star WWV 70 — — Richard Wagner 1907 This composition was also recorded by Kronold for Columbia Phonograph Co. in 1905 as Evening star (O du mein holder Abendstern). Libeslied — — — Fritz Kreisler 1913 From Fritz Kreisler's Alt-Wiener Tanzweisen, No. 2, a composition for cello with orchestra accompaniment recorded for the Edison Blue Amberol.
Compositions TitleOpusNameKeyGenreYear NoteRef Lègende 1 — — — 1895 Kronold's first instrumental composition published by Emanuel Pergament, New York. The Soldier's Bride — — — March 1905 A composition for piano and voice with lyrics about the Spanish–American War by Kronold himself. It was specially written for the Hearst Sunday Newspaper. Turn Thee Unto Me 16 (Sacred song) — Psalm 1913 Published by M. Witmark & Sons. A Vision of my Mother 17 — — — 1909 Published by C. Fischer. Air Religieuse 18 — — Air 1909 Published by C. Fischer. Romance 19 — — Romance 1909 This composition, unlike Coquettish Waltz written by Kronold and edited by Kriens, was scored to violin and piano from the original cello and piano score. Published by C. Fischer. Spinning Wheel 20 — — — 1909 A composition written by cellist Hans Kronold, edited and fingered by violinist Christiaan Kriens. Published by C. Fischer. Witches' Dance 21 — — — 1909 Published by C. Fischer. Scène Élégiaque 22 — — — 1909 Published by C. Fischer. The Soul of Love 24 — — — 1909 A song with words by D. Vail. Published by C. Fischer. Roses and Cypresses 25 Roses — Lieder 1910 A cycle of eight German songs with words by Ferdinand Tönnies. Published by C. Fischer. Thine — Night — A Song You Sang! — A Vision — May Eternal! — Lost Love — Sphinx — At the Shrine of Venus 26 — — — 1912 The score reads Four Concert Pieces, a compilation of Opuses by Kronold, fingered and edited by Italian piano instructor and publisher, Paolo Gallico. Published by C. Fischer. Caprice Espagnole 28 — — Capriccio 1912 The score reads Four Concert Pieces, a compilation of Opuses by Kronold, fingered and edited by Italian piano instructor and publisher, Paolo Gallico. Published by C. Fischer. Liebeszauber 30 — — — 1912 The score reads Four Concert Pieces, a compilation of Opuses by Kronold, fingered and edited by Italian piano instructor and publisher, Paolo Gallico. Published by C. Fischer. In Olden Days 31 — — Minuet 1912 A compilation of opuses fingered and edited by piano instructor and publisher Paolo Gallico. A score at Rochester.edu reads 'Minuet' (Andante simplice). Published by C. Fischer. Trois Pièces 32 Meditation Religieuse — — 1913 Published by O. Ditson Co, Boston. Melodie Romantique — — Serenade Espagnole — Serenade In Springtime 38 — — — 1913 A song with words by Ferdinand Tönnies. English version by Alice Mattullath. Deux Pièces 39 Evening Song — — 1913 Two songs with words by Ferdinand Tönnies. English version by Alice Mattullath. Published by M. Witmark & Sons. Autumn Song — — The Bride of Death 40 — — — 1913 A song with words by Ferdinand Tönnies]. English version by Alice Mattullath. Published by O. Ditson Co. Boston. Sweetheart's Eyes 43 — — — 1913 A song with words by Ferdinand Tönnies. English version by Alice Mattullath. Published by O. Ditson Co. Boston. Five Pieces for Cello and Piano 57 Longing — Romanza 1914 A composition for violoncello and piano accompaniment. All songs published by M. Witmark & Sons. Mother's Darling — Cradle Song The Lonely Shepherd — Pastorale The Mill — Etude The Bumblebee — Moto perpetuo Five Pieces for Cello and Piano 58 Autumn Leaves — Idyll 1913 A composition for violoncello and piano accompaniment. All songs published by O. Ditson Co. Boston. On the Lake — Cavatina 1914 The Clown — Humoreske 1913 Declaration of Love — Reverie In Italy — Tarantelle
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References
External links "Collected works of Hans Kronold", Archive.org Titel von 'Kronold, Hans' by Henry König