Violin Virtuoso Váša Příhoda Died 64 Years Ago

The Czech violin virtuoso passed away in 1960 from heart disease at age 59 — three months after his last concert

During the first 10 years of violin study, Příhoda studied with his father Alois Příhoda. Afterward, Prihoda attended the Prague Conservatory studying with Jan Mařák, a student of Otakar Ševčík. Příhoda made his concert debut at 13, performing Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4.

At age 19, he toured Italy but was financially unsuccessful. Poverty-stricken, he joined the orchestra of the Café Grand'Italia in Milan. There, he was heard and discovered by chance by Arturo Toscanini, who arranged a benefit concert for him.

He later toured Argentina, Brazil, and the United States in 1920, and the USA again in 1921.

Příhoda gave concerts extensively all over the world and made a number of recordings when the industry was in its infancy. Unfortunately, some of his recordings were not well-produced resulting in poor sound quality.

As he had continued to perform in Germany and German-occupied territories after the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia, he was briefly charged with collaboration after the war and was censured by the Czech government.

Příhoda is remembered for his dazzling technique, clear articulation, and beauty of tone.

VÁŠA PRÍHODA | 1936 AUSTRO-ITALIAN FILM "DIE WEISSE FRAU DES MAHARADSCHA"