Otto Klemperer

Composer

Birthday May 14, 1885

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Poland

DEATH DATE Jul 6, 1973 (88)

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About

Leading 20th-century conductor. He was influenced by Gustav Mahler. He fled to America in 1933 after the Nazis came to power.

Before Fame

He studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt and the Stern Conservatory in Berlin. He became conductor of the German Opera in Prague upon Mahler's recommendation.

Trivia

He advocated for new works and new composers, introducing the public to 'From the House of the Dead' by Leoš Janáček, 'Erwartung' by Arnold Schoenberg, 'Oedipus Rex' by Igor Stravinsky, and 'Cardillac' by Paul Hindemith.

Family Life

He married Jennie Gaissler in 1919, and they had two children together.

Associated With

He gained fame for his recording of "Eroica," Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 3.