Erich Kleiber

Erich Kleiber (* August 5, 1890 in Vienna, † 27 January 1956 in Zurich ) was an Austrian conductor.

Life

Kleiber was born in Vienna as the son of a family of teachers living in poverty. Youth and studies he spent in Prague. There, he studied philosophy and music. Prague was interrupted his time by an extended stay in Vienna.

After several shorter exposures in Prague (1911-1912), Darmstadt, Barmen- Elberfeld, Dusseldorf and Mannheim, he followed Max von Schillings in 1923 as a successor of Leo Blech at the Staatsoper in Berlin, after he had previously impressed as a guest conductor with Fidelio. He remained there twelve years: coined the German musical life as besides him only Wilhelm Furtwängler and Richard Strauss. In addition to the care of the works of Beethoven and Wagner - even the lighter muse he was not averse - he brought Alban Berg's Wozzeck premiered (1925) and Janácek's opera Jenufa the German premiere. Between 1923 and 1929 he produced over 100 records.

1935 had Kleiber as a champion of modern music ( Alban Berg, Ernst Krenek, Darius Milhaud and Igor Stravinsky ) resign under the pressure of the Hitler regime. He emigrated to Cuba and later to Argentina ( Buenos Aires ). Many classical and romantic works of music he helped there to the South American premiere. He has also conducted works of South American composers. In 1938 he received the honorary Argentine citizenship.

Kleiber returned to Europe in 1950. He had sought in 1951 to direct again at the Berlin State Opera, but felt snubbed by promises not kept by the GDR peak. In West Berlin, he could not beat more roots, an engagement in Vienna did not materialize. He lived for some time in a Zurich hotel.

Surprisingly, he died in Zurich on 27 January 1956 heartbeat. He is buried in the cemetery Zurich Hönggerberg ( grave number F81011 ).

Erich Kleiber is the father of the conductor Carlos Kleiber.

Discography (selection)

  • Orchestral Showpieces Berlin Philharmonic 1930-34 Telefunken Legacy 3984-28407-2 (1999)
  • Concert Recordings with the NBC Orchestra, 1947-48 4 CDs Music And Arts
  • Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Teatro Colon Orchestra in 1948 Myto
  • The Great Conductors, 2 CDs Beethoven: Symphony no. 6 - Czech Phil Harmony, 1955; Mozart: Symph No. 40 - London Phil Harmony, 1949; Schubert: Symphony No.. 5 - NDR Orchestra, 1953; R. Strauss: " Till Eulenspiegel " - NDR Orchestra in 1951 ao 1949-55 IMG EMI
  • Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7 Concertgebouw Amsterdam 1950-1953 DECCA
  • Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9 Vienna 1952-55 DECCA
  • Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani - Maggio Musicale Fiorentino - 1951 Urania
  • Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 - Wiener Philharmoniker 1952 DECCA
  • Tchaikovski: Symphonies Nos. 4.6 - Paris Conservatorie 1953 DECCA
  • Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, 3 CDs 1955 DECCA
  • Weber: Der Freischütz - Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, 2 CDs 1955 Koch; caprice
  • Beethoven: Fidelio, 2 CDs - Cologne RSO 1956 Koch; caprice
  • Complete Decca Recordings 1949-1955 - 6 CD DECCA
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