Karl Böhm, the Austrian conductor was respected and feared by his musicians as an uncompromising expert orchestral trainer. Seeing his precision and accuracy of interpretation, it comes as no surprise that he earned a PhD in law before turning to music. He was 100% dedicated to the musical work - and stamped his own personality, if necessary, to produce the very best musical performances. However, many musicians comment that he was their ‘beloved dictator’ who brought out the best just by looking at them.
"…he seems to have been able simply to render the orchestra alert and responsive(…). Whatever the explanation, it is clear that Böhm maintained the ability to make an orchestra responsive both to the most minute inflections of his baton and to the playing of their colleagues." The Guardian
"Even today, Karl Böhm is still Vienna's favourite conductor" Süddeutsche Zeitung
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.