The Rudolf Kempe Society In support of young musicians · 1980–2021

Biographical Notes

Rudolf Kempe's career at a glance – from oboist in Leipzig to Dresden, Munich, the Royal Philharmonic, Zurich, the Munich Philharmonic and the BBC SO.

The young Rudolf Kempe in white tie and tails, studying an orchestral score

The main dates of Rudolf Kempe’s life and career, as set out by the Rudolf Kempe Society. For a fuller account see Rudolf Kempe and His Life and Work.

Career at a glance

  • Born in Dresden on 14th June 1910.
  • Studied piano, violin and oboe 1924–1928 at the Orchestra School of the Dresden Staatskapelle.
  • In 1928 appointed Principal Oboist of the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig.
  • Practical experience as oboist and répétiteur in opera and symphonic repertoire under Busch, Walter, Furtwängler, Strauss and Klemperer.
  • Conducting career began in Leipzig in 1934 and continued after the war with leading positions in Chemnitz and Weimar.
  • 1949 appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Dresden State Opera and Staatskapelle, and in 1952 of the Bavarian State Opera Munich.
  • Resigned from Dresden in 1953 and from Munich in 1954, to pursue regular engagements with the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras, the Metropolitan Opera New York and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, as well as the Edinburgh, Salzburg, Munich and Bayreuth Festivals.
  • The focus gradually shifted from opera to concert.
  • In 1961 appointed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as successor to Sir Thomas Beecham.
  • Similar positions in Zurich (Tonhalle Orchestra, 1965–1972) and Munich (Philharmonic Orchestra, 1967 onwards).
  • Took over as Principal Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1975.
  • Died in Zurich on 11th May 1976.

Principal appointments

Years Orchestra or opera house Position
1949–1953 Dresden State Opera and Staatskapelle Principal Conductor and Artistic Director
1952–1954 Bavarian State Opera, Munich Principal Conductor
1961–1975 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Principal Conductor and Artistic Director
1965–1972 Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich Principal Conductor
1967–1976 Munich Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Conductor
1975–1976 BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Principal Conductor

Remembered

Rudolf Kempe in a tweed jacket, one hand pushed through his hair, deep in thought
Kempe in rehearsal: a conductor who prepared every detail
  • 1980 – The Rudolf Kempe Society is founded in London by English musicians in his memory.
  • 2008 – His archive comes to the Society’s base, The Muses in Stratford-upon-Avon, and his remains are laid to rest in its garden.
  • 2016 – A celebration in Dresden marks the 40th anniversary of his death (Rudolf Kempe zum 40. Todestag).
  • Each June the Society marked his birthday with a concert at The Muses – see the events archive.