Klaus Tennstedt

Germany's Klaus Tennstedt was one of the most influential conductors of the 20th century. He was known for his expressive interpretations of Mahler and other Austrian and German composers. Born in 1926, Tennstedt's earliest musical instruction came in the form of violin lessons from his father, Hermann Tennstedt. Later, he attended the Leipzig Conservatory and studied violin, piano, and conducting. During World War II, he joined a Baroque orchestra, which allowed him to avoid military service under the Nazi regime. In 1948, he was appointed concertmaster of the Halle Stadtth...