Václav Neumann (29 October 1920 – 2 September 1995)[1] was aCzechconductor,violinist,violist, and opera director.
Neumann was born inPrague, where he studied at thePrague Conservatory withJosef Micka (violin), andPavel Dědeček andMetod Doležil (conducting) from 1940 through 1945.[1] He co-founded theSmetana Quartet, playing 1st violin and then viola.[1]
Neumann made his debut as a conductor with theCzech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1948, remaining as a conductor with that ensemble through 1950.[1] In 1951 he became principal conductor of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra. He left that post in 1954 to become principal conductor of the Brno Symphony Orchestra (SOKB). In 1956, he began to conduct at theKomische Oper inBerlin; beginning with a celebrated production of Janáček’sThe Cunning Little Vixen on 30 May 1956.[1] He toured with that production to Paris and Wiesbaden; conducting a total of 215 performance between the three cities.[1] He remained at the Komische Oper for eight years, leaving in 1964 to become conductor of theLeipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and General Music Director of theLeipzig Opera.[1] He stayed there until 1968, when he became principal conductor of theCzech Philharmonic, a post he held until 1990 and again in 1992-1993.[1] He was concurrently General Music Director of theStuttgart Staatsoper from 1970 through 1973.[1]
Neumann taught conducting at thePrague Academy for Music, where his students includedOliver von Dohnányi andVítězslav Podrazil.
Neumann was particularly noted as a champion of Czech music, and made the first studio recording ofLeoš Janáček's operaThe Excursions of Mr. Brouček in 1962.
Neumann can be seen conducting theCzech Philharmonic in a recording of the DvořákCello Concerto withJulian Lloyd Webber. This is featured in the 1988 filmDvorak - In Love? by directorTony Palmer.
Leipzig Gewandhaus Kapellmeister | ||
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