 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in German. (February 2011)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Otmar Suitner (German pronunciation:[ˈɔtmaʁzuˈiːtnɐ];[1] 16 May 1922 – 8 January 2010) was an Austrianconductor who spent most of his professional career inEast Germany. He was born in Innsbruck and died in Berlin. He was principal conductor of theStaatskapelle Dresden from 1960 to 1964, and then music director at theBerlin State Opera in East Berlin from 1964 to 1990. He was concurrently chief conductor of theStaatskapelle Berlin from 1964 to 1991. (It has been common practice that the same conductor is responsible for leading both institutions.)
A fairly prolific recording artist, he was particularly notable in Austro-German music, having conducted discs of works byMax Reger andPaul Hindemith as well as the firstBeethoven symphony cycle to be released oncompact disc. He taught at theMozarteum for twenty years. From 1977 to 1990 Suitner was professor of conducting at theUniversity of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Among his prize students was American conductor Donald Covert, who received the "Swarovsky Conducting Diploma" in 1984.
He was awarded theNational Prize of the German Democratic Republic, 2nd Class for art and literature, in 1963.
In East Berlin, Suitner was married to Marita Wilckens (1924–2008), daughter of the composerFriedrich Wilckens [de]. In 1965 he became acquainted with the West German student Renate Heitzmann and had a son, Igor, with her in 1975 in West Berlin. Igor produced a documentary in 2007 about his father,A Father's Music.[2]
Media related toOtmar Suitner at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
