Josef Krips was an Austrian conductor and violinist who played a critical role in the postwar restoration of Vienna’s musical institutions. Born in 1902, he emerged from the pedagogical lineage of Felix Weingartner to become a central figure in European opera and symphonic life, eventually leading orchestras across three continents before his death in 1974.
Early Career and Interwar Years
Krips received his foundational training under Felix Weingartner and Eusebius Mandyczewski. By 1921, he served as Weingartner's assistant at the Vienna Volksoper, eventually advancing to roles as a resident conductor. His career saw him lead ensembles in Karlsruhe starting in 1926. By 1935, he accepted a professorship at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts while maintaining a regular conducting schedule at the Salzburg Festival.
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The 1938 Anschluss forced Krips to abandon his Austrian posts due to his father's Jewish heritage. He relocated to Belgrade, conducting the local opera and philharmonic until regional involvement in the Second World War necessitated a career change, during which he worked as an industrial clerk. Upon returning to Austria in 1945, he was among the few conductors cleared to perform. He became the first to lead the Vienna Philharmonic and the Salzburg Festival following the conflict, working alongside Clemens Krauss and Karl Böhm to stabilize the nation's musical infrastructure.
International Orchestral Tenures
Krips expanded his reach significantly in the 1950s and 1960s. He served as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1950 to 1954 before moving to the United States to lead the Buffalo Philharmonic. In Buffalo, he increased the number of employed musicians and extended the performance season, focusing predominantly on classical and romantic literature. He later served as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1963 to 1970, where he championed a wider range of twentieth-century compositions, including works by Kirke Mechem and William Walton.
Discography and Final Years
His recording career spanned decades, beginning with an Oden label session in 1937 featuring Richard Tauber. He later produced significant interpretations of Mozart for Decca, including the Jupiter Symphony and Don Giovanni. In 1960, he recorded the complete Beethoven symphonies with the London Symphony Orchestra for Everest Records. During his final years, Krips led the Deutsche Oper in Berlin and held a principal position with the Vienna Symphony. He died in Geneva in 1974.
Fast facts
- Born: 1902, Vienna
- Died: 1974, Geneva
- Primary Occupations: Conductor, violinist
- Education: Pupil of Felix Weingartner and Eusebius Mandyczewski
- Burial site: Neustifter Friedhof
- Buffalo Philharmonic Tenure: 1954–1963
- San Francisco Symphony Tenure: 1963–1970
- Awards: Great Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
Questions readers ask
What was Josef Krips' involvement in the postwar Austrian music scene?
After 1945, he was one of the few conductors permitted to perform immediately, leading the Vienna Philharmonic and Salzburg Festival to restore them to prewar standards.
Did Krips focus on modern or traditional music?
He largely concentrated on European classical and romantic literature, though he conducted 91 works by twentieth-century composers during his time in San Francisco.
Achievements
- Great Silver Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
- Great Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: classical music
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