Ferdinand Laub
Ferdinand Laub (January 19 1832 in Prague - March 17 1875 in Gries near Bolzano) was a Czech violinist.
Due to influence of his father Erasmus Laub (1794-1865) Ferdinand's first public appearance happened when he was 6 years old. In age of 10 he had his own concert in Stavovské divadlo (a theater in Prague). During 1843-46 he studied at conservatory in Prague. Laub started his career of virtuoso in Vienna, at imperial court. In 1850 he travelled across Europe with string of exhibitions. He stayed for longer time in Weimar and Berlin (1855-62 as professor at the Stern conservatory). During 1866-74 he was professor of conservatory in Moscow.
Laub was very admired violinist winning awards all over Europe; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky called him "the best violinist of our time". He was the first violinist in the premiere performances of both Tchaikovsky first and second string quartets.
Lung disease in 1874 forced him to stop working. Laub died on a way to spa in Merano. He is interred at Vyšehrad cemetery.
His son Váša Laub (1857-1911) was violinist and composer.