The Rooftop Fiddler story begins in Europe before world war II. Violinst Joseph Krix began playing violin at the age of five in Budapest Hungary. He eventually studied at the prestigious Liszt Conservatory, His studies were interrupted by WWII and he was drafted into the Hungarian Army shortly before the end of the war. He was captured and sent to Siberia for over three years, where he survived the POW camp by giving lessons to the camp commander's daughter, pictured below. Once a week he received a decent meal after teaching a lesson, giving him the edge he needed to survive and move to America in 1950. Today his son, a concert violinist and teacher, continues his love of the violin by teaching, instructing and selling fine instruments for students and professionals.
Below: Violinist Joseph Krix with his violin student in the Soviet Prison Camp in Siberia 1948
