Felix Eugene Fritsch 1879-1954

Abstract

Felix Eugene Fritsch was born on 26 April 1879. His father owned a small but very successful private school at Hampstead where his son was born, and Felix’s childhood was spent. Mr Fritsch’s gifts were primarily mathematical and musical, though his interests were centred on the latter and on classics. The musical bent was evidently an hereditary one since not only was the grandfather of Felix an operatic singer, but his grandmother also. Even in his latter years it was a pleasure to listen to old Mr Fritsch singing German leider. Felix inherited alike the mathematical capacity of his father and the lack of interest in its pursuit, but the parental delight in music was fully shared. Felix learnt to play the violin, and although he never attained great executive ability, he would justly describe himself as ‘a useful member of a quartet.