Jaroslav Gons: violoncellist

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JAROSLAV GONS

Violoncellist

Recitals Concerts Joint Recitals



JAROSLAV GONS


 the celebrated 'cello virtuoso, while in his 'teens, was the winner in the 
tryout and concurrency play
 arranged in Vienna, where there was a vacancy for the position of Solo-cellist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Gons, who met with great success in this responsible position, during the summer months of 1914 was en gaged for a number of joint recitals in the Russian summer resorts and watering places in the Caucasus Mountains and on the strand of the Black Sea.




At that time the World War started and Mr. Gons was not able to return to Vienna.  During this time Mr. Gons was heard by several Russian musical authorities, whose good words and recommendations assured him of not only his personal liberty, but also of the position and title of Professor of Imperial Russian Conservatories.




During the six years spent in Russia, Mr. Gons, in addition to his pedagogic duties, found time for his concert tours, many of which were extended through the larger part of Russia.  Mr. Gons met with the greatest of success in his concerts and recitals everywhere he appeared and each year found his artistic services in still greater demand.  In Russia he has appeared in concerts with some of the greatest artists of that country—such names as D. Smirnoff, the best Russian tenor, S. Bortkiewicz, pianist-composer, and many other great names being found on his concert programs.




Mr. Gons, in his vacation time, spent the summer months in the most elegant and splendid Russian summer resort, Kislovodsk (Caucasus), where he was engaged as soloist, being obliged to appear twice during every week.  His audience was composed of the most


 noble Russian people who congregated there during the summer months from all parts of the Russian Empire.  The success of his solo appearances in Kislovodsk was so eminent that the committee gave Mr. Gons a contract to sign for this position for the three summer seasons following, in spite of the offers made by other artists for this brilliant artistic position.



But after the revolution the civil wars raging in Russia destroyed many things which were built with great effort and difficulty.  Mr. Gons realizing that the great success for which he had worked so hard for several years in Russia was about to be lost on account of the conditions in that country, decided to leave.




After leaving Russia with his funds very low, Mr. Gons stopped in Constantinople (Turkey), Smyrna and other cities of Asia-Minor, Athens and Patras (Greece), where he gave a series of concerts and recitals, and with the money obtained was able to realize his long desire to reside in America.  He at once obtained his passport and sailed for New York—it was in September 1920.  Upon his arrival he immediately applied for American citizenship papers, and ever since his landing in New York he has met with the greatest applause everywhere he has appeared.




Mr. Gons' public appearances in Chicago drew the attention of the leading lights of the musical circles of the city and at the present time he is much in demand as soloist.  He is also a member of the faculty of the Chicago Musical College, one of the oldest and largest musical institutions in the country.




Personal Address
64 East Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois The Chicago Musical College Residence Phone:  Dorchester 9202




The Critics of the Chicago Newspapers Say:



HERMAN DEVRIES, in the 
Evening American:


At Lyon & Healy Hall, Jaroslav Gons, violoncellist, gave a recital composed almost entirely of works by Bohemian composers, Dvorak, Suk, Nedbal, Popper, besides a concerto by Haydn, a sonata by Valentini and Brig.  Gen. Charles G. Dawes' Melody.  
Mr. Gons has a warm, vibrant tone, technic that is fluent without being obtrusive, and plenty of temperament,
 perhaps a superabundance of temperament.  Evidently 
an excellent, routined artist.



There was warm applause for Mr. Gons.  Anna Cada played very good accompaniments.





KARLETON HACKETT, in the 
Chicago Evening Post:


Mr. Gons, who played a recital yesterday at the Lyon & Healy Hall, 
is a cellist of parts and gave an excellent reading of a Haydn concerto . . . . .



He has temperament and throws himself into the music with abandon.  He is an artist with appreciation for the music and an excellent technical equipment.





EDWARD MOORE, in the 
Chicago Tribune:



Jaroslav Gons, one of the more recent arrivals in this city's musical circles, gave a recital at Lyon & Healy Hall last night . . . . .
His playing succeeds in being uncommonly exhilarating.
 It is the more so because he has a repertoire not commonly used by cellists.  I heard him in the group by his countrymen, Dvorak, Suk, and Nedbal, and the rhythmic urge that he put into all these pieces was unexpected and attractive in equal proportions.





MAURICE ROSENFELD, in the 
Chicago Daily News:


GONS' RECITAL PLEASES



Jaroslav Gons, a Bohemian violoncellist, gave a recital of violoncello music at Lyon & Healy Hall last evening and disclosed himself to be 
a temperamental virtuoso.  He plays with warmth of tone, with taste in shading and with a comprehensive grasp of the mechanical problems of his instrument.
  At times he used a portamento somewhat to excess but in general 
his performance was pleasing and musical.




A capriccio by Nedbal proved to be a very catchy selection, tuneful and well written, and 
Mr. Gons performed it with neatness and in a capricious style.




A melody by Gen. Charles G. Dawes was listed on the program, as well as other pieces by Haydn, Dvorak, Suk Valentini and Popper.  Anna Cada, who played the accompaniments, is a capable pianist.