Otto Klemperer: Volume 2, 1933–1973: His Life and Times

Otto Klemperer #2

by Peter Heyworth

Otto Klemperer was one of the great conductors of the century. This second volume of Peter Heyworth's celebrated biography follows the conductor's fortunes from his time as an émigré in the United States to his final years as conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. His time in America was frustrating and unhappy. He became chief conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but failed to secure important engagements on the East Coast. Bedevilled by manic depression, his euphoric moods led to wild escapades, on one occasion finding him in police cells. Returning to Europe in 1946, he found work at the Budapest State Opera until Stalin's grip forced him away. In the fifties he found work where he could, suffering illness, accidents and depression. Finally, he was given a contract with EMI and his concerts and recordings with the Philharmonia brought, at last, the worldwide recognition that had so long eluded him. The two volumes are also available as a set.

Genres: Music

500 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Tom Brannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klemperer continues to amaze me....as a conductor, a terrible composer, and the human conduit through which countless people from all walks of life flow. His career was continuously threatened by erratic behavior brought on by manic depression. Through it all, people described him as a force of nature, who by his overwhelming authority, could draw out of musicians the best performances of there lifetimes.

I read this definitive two volume biography every two or three years.

[Johan Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a simple biography, but also providing insights in the interaction between a person and history (Nazism, McCarthyism, ...)