Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

Poland

Birth

:

May 14, 1885 in Breslau, Poland

Death

:

July 6, 1973 in Zürich, Switzerland

Period

:

Contemporary

 

Otto Klemperer was a renowned German conductor and composer who was born on May 14, 1885, in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). He was the son of a prominent lawyer and his mother was a singer. Klemperer showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later studied composition and conducting at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. Klemperer began his career as a conductor in 1905, when he was appointed as the conductor of the opera house in Strasbourg. He then went on to conduct at various opera houses in Germany, including the National Theatre in Mannheim and the Berlin State Opera. In 1910, he was appointed as the conductor of the Hamburg State Opera, where he remained until 1912. In 1912, Klemperer was appointed as the conductor of the Breslau Opera, where he gained a reputation for his innovative and modern interpretations of classical works. He also began to compose his own music during this time, including his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered in 1913. Klemperer's career was interrupted by World War I, during which he served in the German army. After the war, he returned to conducting and was appointed as the conductor of the Berlin State Opera in 1927. He also conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra during this time. In 1933, Klemperer's career was once again interrupted, this time by the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. Klemperer, who was Jewish, was forced to flee the country and settled in the United States. He continued to conduct in the US, including at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. In 1947, Klemperer returned to Europe and was appointed as the conductor of the Budapest Opera. He then went on to conduct at various opera houses in Europe, including the Royal Opera House in London and the Vienna State Opera. Klemperer is perhaps best known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler. He was known for his attention to detail and his ability to bring out the nuances of the music. He was also known for his strict conducting style, which sometimes led to tension with his musicians. Klemperer received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Berlin. Klemperer's recordings are still highly regarded today and are considered some of the best interpretations of classical works. He died on July 6, 1973, in Zurich, Switzerland, at the age of 88. His legacy as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century lives on through his recordings and the influence he had on the world of classical music.

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