My Musical Life

An American conductor and composer recounts his musical upbringing in Europe and his long career in the United States, tracing formative family influences and early encounters with prominent musicians. He describes founding choral and symphonic institutions, establishing German opera at a major metropolitan house, and organizing an opera company, while contrasting conducting philosophies and rehearsal practices. The narrative surveys collaborations with leading artists, touring and wartime experiences, advocacy for women’s participation in musical affairs, and interpretive views on dead composers, concluding with reflective essays on performance, pedagogy, and the practical challenges of sustaining musical organizations.