Karl Böhm

Austrian musician and conductor who was noted for his interpretation of Mozart's, Wagner's and Richard Strauss' operas. Bohm was a solid musician, not exciting but always reliable to deliver solid and sedate performances. He was quiet in demeanor, strong on technique and fussy about style. During his long career, he assumed several personalities. In the shadow of gigantic colleagues, he seemed more pedantic than inspired but finally, by the dint of consistency and survival, he became a figure in the roster of great conductors.

Bohm knew how to accompany singers. Unlike many of his successors, he understood the frailties of the human voice, and brought that sensitivity with him into the orchestra pit.

He died on 14 August 1981 in Salzburg, Austria, aged 86.