Overview

Unless we document the lives of those who came before us, they will forever be forgotten. My Bohemian Heritage highlights two families who contributed greatly to the art and musical culture of Chicago in the early 1900s. Ms. Va ak first focuses on A. V. erny, her grandfather, who founded the first Bohemian Conservatory of Music in Chicago. His father, Jan, was a violinist who owned the Prague Orchestra. A.V. erny was an exceptional teacher and educated a whole generation of musical artists as soloists and as members of orchestras. Indeed, his own child, Milada, a child prodigy, began piano at the age of 3, becoming a virtuoso pianist and touring the United States at about age 9 and Europe at about age 10. Her younger sister, Zde ka (the author's mother), was heralded as The Greatest Bohemian Violoncellist in the world. The art-nouveau artist, Alfons Mucha, a personal friend of A.V. erny, often stayed at their home, and generously painted portraits and posters of A.V.'s two eldest daughters while teaching art at the Chicago Art Institute. A.V. erny was also a personal friend of Antonin Dvo ak, and founded the Dvo ak Quartet in the 1890s and later The Society for the Uplift of Chamber Music. Music and conversation filled their home. Through their doors and at their dining table appeared many of the most talented people of the era, bringing their cultural preferences for a variety of Bohemian delicacies, prepared by Grandma erny, all while playing chamber music, card games, and sharing many late-night stories. Among them were Rudolf Friml, pianist and composer, and Jan Kubelik, violinist, called the Paganini of the 20th century. When Zde ka erny eloped with Otakar Va ak, who had immigrated from Prague at age 24, it had been love at first sight. Thus, a small section of love letters adds color to otherwise black and white photos. In compiling these personal vignettes, Jetta Va ak passes on a small portion of her family story, while providing a window into the personal lives and times of these interesting people who contributed their gifts and talents to the rich and diverse culture of early Chicago.

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9781577332985

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