Kess, if you may.
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
Nicolas Chamfort
Noble Gentleman
Born in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Robert bore a noble surname and was the child of a conservative diplomat father and a violist mother. Robert was only interested in alcohol and beauty in his early teenage years. He was in an illegitimate relationship with his cousin Karl from 1842-1843. His only healthy passion was that of the violin, and he would practice day and night to achieve the perfect virtuosity he always imagined - sometimes reaching 14 hours a day.
Presto con fuoco
1848 Revolutions
The 1848 Vienna Revolutions marked the downfall of conservatives. As students marched the streets of Vienna and Metternich resigned in March, Kessler Sr. fell ill and passed away when Ferdinand’s Council agreed to draft a constitution. He arranged for the family to flee to England, but Robert insisted on staying and pursuing music.
“Ludwig”
Robert’s career as a violinist and violist was successful. His virtuosity attracted most of his audience, and he was very sociable, which gained him a powerful position in the social circle of the upper class. He was popular among young women. However, as he worked with Ludwig in 1851 and 1852, he fell for the talented composer and carefully switched his ring from the second to the third finger, to evade courtings. They got together just a month before Ludwig had to go back to Germany. From 1854 to Ludwig’s death, they lived together in Switzerland, where Robert also spent the rest of his life.
Robert did not dislike nor like about having ladies going after him - but he did not try to appear attractive to anyone in particular or “use” his charisma to get anything for himself, and he was very polite and nice to everyone.
He composed four sets of Études, one of which was based on some of Ludwig’s violin and viola pieces. He also composed impromptus which showed the more emotional side of him rather than the “playful” image, but most of them were transcribed and published by Ludwig. Kessler seemed reluctant to show the more delicate side of him to people that he doesn’t love.
Robert is tall and fit, with fair skin and shoulder-length brunette curly hair. He always tries to put his wavy fringes into a smooth slick back in performances, but some strands always fall on his forehead. His eyes are brown like maple wood, and Ludwig says they reflect exactly as a violin would.
