When Laub was just nine years old his violin playing virtuosity was praised by Ole Bull. He acceeded to the Conservatory of Prague and was accepted immediately into the second year. He studied with Mildner and was brought to the attention of Ernst and Berlioz because of his playing. Laub was a soloist in Vienna for two years, performed in London, Berlin, Paris and St Petersburg, became the Konzertmeister in Weimar in 1853 and played chamber musci for Liszt. During this time he also studied counterpoint with Sechter. Between 1858 and 1865 he toured throughout Europe appearing wih Bulow, Clara Schumann, Leschetizky, Smetana, Patti, Jaell and Joachim. Tchaikovsky dedicated his Third String Quartet to the memory of Laub who was noted for the beautiul sonority of his playing, and his style, finese and technicl skill. He performed concertos by Mendelssohn, Joachim, Ernst, Pagannini and Spohr and was one of the first violinists to perform The Bach sonatas. Laub's compositions included rigorous violin pieces and some vocal works. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi