Austrian conductor and pianist, he became music director of the
Oldenburg Staatsoper in 1936 and was appointed principal conductor of
the Vienna Staatsoper in 1939 and principal conductor of the Berlin
Städtische Oper in 1943. Famous as Generalmusikdirektor of the Hamburg
Staatsoper (1950-1971). Best known for his operatic work, he also
conducted leading orchestras in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, and made
an early LP recording of
Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony.