Skip to main content

Reiner, Fritz, 1888-1963

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1888 - 1963

Biography

Fritz Reiner (born December 19, 1888, Budapest, died November 15, 1963, New York) was an American conductor of Hungarian birth. Reiner attended the Liszt Academy in Budapest (where he studied piano with Bartók) and made his conducting début in Carmen at the age of 19 at the Vigopera. He conducted opera in Laibach and Budapest and became one of two principal Kapellmeister at the Hofoper in Dresden (1914-1921). There he formed a lifelong friendship with Richard Strauss; while at Dresden he conducted the first German production of Die Frau ohne Schatten in 1919. With the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1922-1931), the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (1938-1948), and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1953-1963), Reiner developed a reputation as an orchestra builder. Reiner’s skill as a conductor can be heard best on the popular series of recordings he made in Chicago for RCA Victor (1954-1963).

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Robert Russell Bennett papers

 Collection
Identifier: Bennett
Scope and Contents

Mostly music manuscripts of original compositions and arrangements, the collection also includes drafts of two autobiographies, printed scores, and LPs from Bennett's collection.

Dates: 1911-1981; Other: Date acquired: 12/02/2002

Jean Martinon papers

 Collection
Identifier: Martinon
Abstract

The papers of composer/conductor Jean Martinon consist of materials created by Martinon himself (including published and unpublished manuscript scores and arrangements of compositions written between 1935 and 1975), and biographical and other materials produced or collected by the Jean Martinon Society and the Association Jean Martinon.

Dates: 1923-1994; Other: Date acquired: 05/12/1988

Fritz Reiner correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: Reiner
Abstract

Conductor Fritz Reiner's correspondence collection includes both personal and business correspondence, including letters to family, friends, and fans, and papers regarding his work with the Curtis Institute of Music and the Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Chicago Symphony Orchestras. Carlotta Reiner's correspondence is also heavily represented.

Dates: 1916 - 1967; Other: Majority of material found within 1921 - 1963

Fritz Reiner collection of scores

 Collection
Identifier: Reiner Scores
Abstract

Scores (mostly published) owned by the Hungarian-American conductor Fritz Reiner (1888-1963), many with his performance markings.

Dates: 1870-1963