Bruno Walter

Bruno Walter (September 15, 1876 - February 17, 1962) was a German-born conductor and composer. He was born in Berlin, but moved to several countries between 1933 and 1939, finally settling in the United States in 1939. His original name was Bruno Walter Schlesinger, but he dropped his surname in 1911.

Recordings

Walter's conducting is often distinguished by a Viennese warmth and humanity which he extracted from his orchestra. Like Otto Klemperer, Walter worked with Mahler, and his performances of Mahler's works are considered outstanding, particularly his recording of the Ninth Symphony, the first performance of which he was privileged to give. The recording, the first of that symphony, was made at a live performance of the Vienna Philharmonic in January 1938 - just two months before the Nazi Anschluss drove Walter into exile.

Related Topics:
Otto Klemperer - Mahler - Ninth Symphony

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One of Walter's most famous recordings is Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with Kathleen Ferrier.

Related Topics:
Das Lied von der Erde - Kathleen Ferrier

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He performed the works of another Viennese composer, Anton Bruckner, and his recording of that composer's Ninth Symphony is also a landmark performance.

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Walter was a distinguished conductor of music from the classical period,

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and his recorded performances of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are well loved. He also directed opera, and gave productions of Mozart operas at the Metropolitan Opera which are now available on CD, together with his performances of Beethoven's Fidelio.

Related Topics:
Haydn - Mozart - Beethoven - Metropolitan Opera - Fidelio

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