In 1875 Ottokar Malek was born in Budweis, Bohemia, Austria, to Joseph and Anna (Koneck) Malek. His music training began when he was six years old. In 1892, at age 15, Ottokar was admitted to the Prague Conservatory where he studied until 1897, graduating with honors. After graduation Ottokar toured Europe, Russia, and neighboring countries, as a concert pianist. He simultaneously held instructor, professor, and conductor positions. A traumatic romantic breakup prompted Malek to leave for America in 1902 where he joined family in Chicago. In December 1903, he held his first concert at the Studebaker Theater. Immediately following the concert he scheduled a tour of the United States and Canada.

In 1908, after many years of touring and performing, Malek began teaching and preparing students for performance, attracting pupils from all over the United States. At age 32, that same year, Ottokar married one of his students, Florence Krumme. A talented pianist, Florence was born in Chicago in 1890 and married Ottokar at 18. Florence and Ottokar had three children; Ottokar Jr. (b. 1909), Anita (b. 1912), and Eleanor (b. 1914).

In 1914 Malek moved his family into the historic Sweet House in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the invitation of Clara Davis, who was leasing the house for her music school. Davis merged her school with Ottokar’s and the Malek School of Music was opened. The school was successful and employed a large faculty. Ottokar also continued to give concerts in the area, often performing piano duets with his wife, Florence. In addition to being a concert pianist, Florence also taught at the Malek School of Music.

Five years later it became necessary to close the school and return to Chicago for a short time. During that time Florence and Ottokar commuted to Grand Rapids to teach. Ottokar was also directing the new Grand Rapids Civic Orchestra. Founded in 1917, the St. Cecilia Orchestra began as a small ensemble of 25 instrumentalists. When the St. Cecilia Society decided to enlarge the orchestra in 1919 they asked Malek to be the director. In March 1920, the new Grand Rapids Civic Orchestra gave its first concert.

In 1922 Ottokar purchased 157 Benjamin Avenue Southeast in Grand Rapids and the family returned from Chicago. Ottokar continued to direct the orchestra. He and Florence also taught and regularly performed. The Grand Rapids Civic Orchestra had three successful seasons under Malek. Out of his efforts grew the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, formally named in 1923. The same year Ottokar developed bronchial pneumonia and died on April 24, 1923, at the age of 47. After Ottokar’s death, Florence Malek continued to teach and perform. In 1924 she married Peter Kleynenberg, a Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra cellist. Together they had a daughter, Joan (b.1925). Florence passed away in 1963.

The information in these biographical notes came from the collection itself and from The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion by Carol Dodge.