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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 1 Collection or Record:

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
Found in: Music Library / Fritz Reiner correspondence