Reiner, << RY nuhr, >> Fritz (1888-1963), was one of the great symphony orchestra and operatic conductors of his time. He became especially noted for his heroic performances of music of central European composers. He valued precision and balance, yet he never neglected the monumental passions of romantic music. He specialized in the operas and tone poems of Richard Strauss.
Reiner was born on Dec. 19, 1888, in Budapest, Hungary. He was also educated in Budapest. From 1914 to 1921, he served as musical director of the Dresden Royal Opera in Germany. He came to the United States in 1922 as director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and held that position until 1931. Reiner then taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia until 1941. From 1938 to 1948, he conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Reiner served as a major conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City from 1949 to 1953. He served as musical director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1953 until his death on Nov. 15, 1963.
