OTTOKAR CADEK
Instruments: Violin, Conductor
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Home:Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ottokar Cadek was a member of the faculty at the
University of Alabama from 1943 until his death in 1956 at the age of 59. During the
1954-55 academic year he was named acting head of the music department.
As a young man, he studied at the Zurich Conservatory of Music where he was
an honor graduate. He continued his studies with Franz Kneisel, Leopold Auer and
Ottokar Seveik.
Professor Cadek joined the faculty at Alabama as head of violin instruction and
chamber music and as conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra. He was a
concert violinist of wide experience having held the position of first violinist with the
New York String Quarter for 14 years.
He was director of the string department of the Birmingham Conservatory of
Music and concert master and associate conductor of the Birmingham Civic Symphony
from 1933-1942.
He was also conductor and head of the violin department at the National Music
Camp at Interlochen Michigan, and died during a faculty performance. He was playing
first violin in the Brahms Clarinet Quintet and had just completed the third movement
when he shook his head, put down his violin and died.
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