Thomas Schippers

Thomas Schippers was one of the most talented of American conductors and was a particular champion of the music of Samuel Barber. He showed musical gifts early. He played at a public piano recital at the age of six and was a church organist when he was fourteen. He continued his piano studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia (1944-1945). He also studied privately with Olga Samaroff (1946-1947). He went on to Yale University, where he had some lessons in composition with Paul Hindemith. In 1948 he took second prize in the Philadelphia Orchestra's young conduct...