Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

April 8, 1902 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

October 13, 1974 in Geneva, Switzerland

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

Josef Krips was a renowned Austrian conductor and violinist who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on April 8, 1902, in Vienna, Austria, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Krips showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of six. Krips received his formal music education at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he studied violin, composition, and conducting. He made his debut as a violinist at the age of 16 and soon became a member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. However, Krips was more interested in conducting, and he began to study under the renowned conductor Felix Weingartner. In 1929, Krips made his conducting debut with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and he quickly gained a reputation as a talented and dynamic conductor. He was appointed the principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera in 1933, a position he held until 1938. During this time, Krips conducted many notable performances, including the world premiere of Richard Strauss's "Die schweigsame Frau." In 1938, Krips was forced to flee Austria due to the Nazi occupation. He moved to London, where he became the principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Krips remained in London until 1954, during which time he conducted many memorable performances, including the first complete recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In 1954, Krips moved to the United States, where he became the music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He remained in Buffalo until 1963, during which time he transformed the orchestra into a world-class ensemble. Krips also conducted many notable performances during his time in Buffalo, including the world premiere of Aaron Copland's "Connotations." After leaving Buffalo, Krips became a guest conductor for many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. He also conducted many notable opera productions, including the first production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Salzburg Festival. Krips was known for his precise and energetic conducting style, as well as his ability to bring out the best in his musicians. He was also a champion of contemporary music and conducted many premieres of works by modern composers. Throughout his career, Krips received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1963, he was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, and in 1970, he was made an honorary citizen of Vienna. Krips was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London and the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria. Josef Krips died on October 13, 1974, in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential conductors of the 20th century. His recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight classical music lovers around the world.

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