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Donald George Johanos (February 10, 1928 – May 29, 2007) was aconductor and music director with theDallas Symphony Orchestra and theHonolulu Symphony Orchestra. He was recognized for his support of contemporaryclassical music. He performed or conducted on at least 16 recordings.[1]
Johanos was born inCedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1928. He attended theEastman School of Music, receiving an undergraduate degree inviolin, a master's degree inmusic theory and a performer's certificate in conducting.[2]
After his graduation from Eastman, Johanos played violin for five years in theRochester Philharmonic Orchestra, where he received coaching in conducting from the music director,Erich Leinsdorf.In 1958, Johanos won theInternational Conductors Competition run by theNetherlands Radio Union.[3]
In 1962, Johanos became the music director and principal conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. During this period, he conducted the orchestra in several recordings. However, he had problems with the musicians during his stint inDallas, resulting in his departure in 1970.[4]
Johanos moved to thePittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as associate conductor and director of itschamber orchestra.[4]
He became the musical director and conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in 1979. Johanos helped settle the orchestra down after the retirement ofRobert la Marchina. He was also known for championing new music, which caused some frictions with the board. Johanos received an award from theAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in 1991 for "adventuresome programming of contemporary music".[3]
While at Honolulu, Johanos recorded with his own and other orchestras. In 1993, the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra recorded an album,Three Works byDan Welcher with the Honolulu Symphony, under Johanos's baton. Welcher dedicated hisSymphony No. 1 to Johanos. The 1993–94 season, which would have been Johanos's last with the Honolulu orchestra, was cancelled due to a labor dispute.[5]
Johanos retired toNaples, Florida, where he died in 2007.[3]
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