Alfred Wallenstein

Alfred Wallenstein (October 7, 1898 – February 8, 1983) was an American cellist and conductor. A successful solo and orchestral cellist in his early life, Wallenstein took up conducting in the 1930s and served as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1943 to 1956.

Early life Wallenstein was born on October 7, 1898, in Chicago. His family was of Austrian descent, having immigrated to the United States in the 1880s.

As a boy, Wallenstein took piano lessons from his parents, who were amateur musicians. After his family moved to Los Angeles in 1905, Wallenstein was made to choose between a gift of a bicycle or a cello, opting for the cello. He made rapid progress on the instrument, first gaining notability playing in restaurants.

Playing career By his early teenage years, he had found work in Clune's Theater on Broadway, where he caught the attention of the impresario Lynden Behymer. Owing to Behymer's connections, Wallenstein was given performance opportunities in high-profile clubs, as well as pit orchestras for silent films, where he became a personal favorite of prominent actors including Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.

Conducting career Toscanini, also a cellist, urged Wallenstein to become a conductor. In 1931, Wallenstein was hired by New York radio station WOR, serving as a staff conductor for live orchestra broadcasts, and the following year appeared as a conductor and soloist at the Hollywood Bowl.

After moving back to Los Angeles in 1943, he succeeded the ailing Otto Klemperer as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During his tenure, Wallenstein championed the works of American composers, including Aaron Copland, Morton Gould, and Samuel Barber. In total, forty-seven American composers received performances from Wallenstein during his directorship.

For Audio Fidelity Records in September and October 1958, he conducted the specially-formed Virtuoso Symphony of London in Walthamstow Town Hall.