Kroll, William
Kroll, William
Kroll, William, American violinist, teacher, and composer; b. N.Y., Jan. 30, 1901; d. Boston, March 10, 1980. He studied with Marteau (violin) at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik (1911–14). After making his debut in N.Y. in 1915, he continued his studies with Kneisel (violin) and Goetschius (theory) at the Inst. of Musical Art there (1917–22). He played in the Elshuco Trio (1922–29), then was 1st violinist of the Coolidge Quartet (1936–44) and subsequently of his own Kroll Quartet (1944–69); toured with these ensembles, and also made solo appearances. He taught at the Inst. of Musical Art (1922–38), the Mannes Coll. of Music in N.Y. (from 1943), the Peabody Cons, of Music in Baltimore (1947-65), and the Cleveland Inst. of Music (1964–67); was made prof, of violin at Queens Coll. of the City Univ. of N.Y. (1969). He composed some chamber orch. works, chamber music, and violin pieces.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire