Overview

Famous Conductors

This is a compilation of the most influential and greatest conductors who represent the 20th century in the world of classical music. Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and others have led orchestras around the world with their unique styles and musicality, leaving behind numerous legendary performances. They led prestigious orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and Boston Symphony Orchestra, and have had a profound impact on future generations through their recordings and educational activities.

classical music conductor orchestra musician Berlin Philharmonic New York Philharmonic Boston Symphony Orchestra

code	slug	name	description	birthYear	deathYear	nationality	nickname	primaryOrchestra	tenure
01	herbert-von-karajan	Herbert von Karajan	An Austrian conductor known as 'The Emperor' who represented the 20th century. Served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years.	1908	1989	Austria	The Emperor	Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra	1955-1989
02	leonard-bernstein	Leonard Bernstein	An American conductor, composer, and educator who served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and composed 'West Side Story.'	1918	1990	United States	Lenny	New York Philharmonic	1958-1969
03	seiji-ozawa	Seiji Ozawa	A great conductor that Japan boasts to the world. Served as Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 29 years and became the first Asian Music Director of the Vienna State Opera.	1935	2024	Japan	Seiji of the World	Boston Symphony Orchestra	1973-2002
04	carlos-kleiber	Carlos Kleiber	A German-born conductor regarded as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. Known as a perfectionist, he left behind only limited recordings.	1930	2004	Germany	Genius Conductor	Bavarian State Orchestra	1968-1990年代
05	claudio-abbado	Claudio Abbado	An Italian conductor who served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and worked to promote contemporary music.	1933	2014	Italy	The Democratic Conductor	Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra	1989-2002
06	arturo-toscanini	Arturo Toscanini	An Italian-born conductor who was a master representing the early 20th century, known for strict musicality and perfect technique.	1867	1957	Italy	The Maestro	NBC Symphony Orchestra	1937-1954
07	wilhelm-furtwangler	Wilhelm Furtwängler	A German conductor and composer who served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and received particularly high acclaim for his interpretations of Romantic music.	1886	1954	Germany	The God	Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra	1922-1945, 1952-1954
08	riccardo-muti	Riccardo Muti	An Italian conductor who has served as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, La Scala, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.	1941		Italy	The Powerful Conductor	Chicago Symphony Orchestra	2010-現在
09	simon-rattle	Sir Simon Rattle	A British conductor who served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and was active for many years with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.	1955		United Kingdom	Champion of Contemporary Music	London Symphony Orchestra	2017-現在
10	daniel-barenboim	Daniel Barenboim	An Argentine-born conductor and pianist who has served as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Berlin State Opera, and is also active worldwide as a pianist.	1942		Argentina/Israel	Musical Diplomat	Berlin State Opera	1992-現在

A list of world-renowned conductors who have left their mark on classical music history.