Artur Rodzinski

Artur Rodzinski was born January 2, 1894 in Split, Croatia to Polish parents. He grew up in the cultural and industrial city of Lvov, then under Austrian rule, and studied law at the local university. In 1914 Artur's father sent his wife and son to Vienna. Here, at age 22, Rodzinski was able to continue his law studies and also enrolled in the Academy of Music.
In 1916 Rodzinski both completed his law studies and received a doctorate in law.
At the end of the First World War in 1918, Rodzinski returned to Lvov, now in independent Poland to try to make a living in music. He soon found work conducting the pit orchestra at the Lvov Opera house, where he made his debut directing Verdi's Ernani.
In 1920 he moved to the Theater Wielki (Grand Theater) in Warsaw. From 1925 to 1929 he worked with Leopold Stokowski. Following his association with Philadelphia and Stokowski, Rodzinski moved to California, conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the next four years.
From 1933 to 1943 Rodzinski held the position of conductor and Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra. During his tenure he introduced the novel idea of presenting opera in the concert hall; and on January 31, 1935, he conducted the fully staged American premiere of Shostakovich's controversial opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. This was one of many opera's he would conduct with the orchestra. Rodzinski expanded the orchestra's repertoire, in particular, with 20th century music.
In 1943 Rodzinski became conductor and Music Director of the New York Philharmonic where he stayed until 1947. Following his tenure in New York Rodzinski joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Artur Rodzinski died in 1958.

J. Adato is referenced.

Leonard Bernstein Home Page