Friedrich "Fritz" Kreisler (February 2, 1875 – January 29, 1962) was an
Austrian-born
violinist and
composer. One of the most famous violin masters of his or any other day, and regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time, he was known for his sweet
tone and expressive
phrasing. Like many great violinists of his generation, he produced a characteristic sound which was immediately recognizable as his own. Although it derived in many respects from the Franco-Belgian school, his style is nonetheless reminiscent of the
gemütlich (cozy) lifestyle of pre-war
Vienna.