Born in Vienna, Kleiber studied in Prague. In 1923, after conducting a stirring performance of Beethoven's Fidelio at the Berlin State Opera, he became that institution's music director. When Berg's second opera Lulu was branded Entartete Musik (degenerate music) by the Nazi Party, Kleiber, who was not jewish and therefore could have continued his career under the Nazi regime, resigned from his post at the Berlin Opera in protest. Kleiber moved to Buenos Aires, where he worked at the Colón Theater, becoming its music director. Here he specialized in the German operatic repertoire. After World War II, he was offered his old position at the Berlin State Opera, which was at that time in the Russian zone of the divided city, but after discovering that the Communists were no more to his taste than the Nazis had been, he resigned without having conducted a single performance. He became a roving guest conductor, never again having any permanent post.

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" This is a performance of the utmost distinction from a great Beethoven conductor in charge of a great orchestra. " Gramophone May 1959

"The recording engineers, on the other hand, steal most of the limelight in the Gipsy Baron Overture, in which our London Phil. proves itself a match for the Vienna (on the showing of its recent recording with Karajan)" - Gramophone November 1948

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"The pp sotto voce final pages are beautifully done, and the muted horn calls a benediction on our country holiday. Just back from my own, I find the music moving, and the records happy in unified style, without any feeling of showing off. I can remember more "brilliant" readings and playings. Someone might even think this a bit dull--but only, I believe, if he were more concerned about manner than matter. To be able to call a result musicianly is my ideal." Gramophone October 1948

Click on image for full size printable inlay image	1st movement 2nd movement 3rd movement 4th movement
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