Steinberg, William (1899-1978), was a symphony orchestra and opera conductor who became best known as music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1976. Steinberg was noted for his interpretations of romantic works.
Hans Wilhelm Steinberg was born and educated in Cologne, Germany. He conducted at opera houses in Frankfurt and in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Steinberg, a Jew, fled Nazi persecution about 1936. He came to the United States in 1938 to be assistant conductor of the National Broadcasting Company Symphony Orchestra. He became director of the Buffalo Philharmonic in 1945 and developed it into an important orchestra. From 1969 to 1972, he directed both the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He became a U.S. citizen in 1944.
