Kleiber, Erich

Kleiber, Erich, eminent Austrian conductor, father of Carlos Kleiber ; b. Vienna, Aug. 5, 1890; d. Zürich, Jan. 27, 1956. He studied at the Prague Cons, and the Univ. of Prague. He made his debut at the Prague National Theater in 1911, then conducted opera in Darmstadt (1912–19), Barmen-Elberfeld (1919–21), Düsseldorf (1921–22), and Mannheim (1922–23). In 1923 he was appointed Generalmusikdirektor of the Berlin State Opera. His tenure was outstanding, both for the brilliant performances of the standard repertoire and for the exciting programming of contemporary works. He conducted the world premiere of Berg’s Wozzeck (Dec. 14, 1925). In 1934, in protest against the Nazi government, he resigned his post and emigrated to South America. He conducted regularly at the Teatro Cólon in Buenos Aires from 1936 to 1949. Having first conducted at London’s Covent Garden in 1937, he returned there from 1950 to 1953. He then was appointed Generalmusikdirektor once more of the Berlin State Opera in 1954, but resigned in March 1955, before the opening of the season, because of difficulties with the Communist regime. He was renowned for his performances of the music of Mozart and Beethoven. He also composed, numbering among his works a Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, orch. variations, Capriccio for Orch., numerous chamber music works, piano pieces, and songs.

Bibliography

J. Russell, E. K.: A Memoir (London, 1957); C. Dillon, E. K.: A Discogaphy (Buenos Aires, 1990).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire