Erich Kunzel Biography

Timeline:

Born: March 21, 1935 in New York

1957 – Professional Conducting debut at Santa Fe Opera in “La serva padrona.”

1965 - Appointed Assistant Conductor of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

1966 – Faculty member at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (through 1972)

1967 – Conducts the first of the "Concerts in the Parks"

1969 – Becomes resident conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

1977 - Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is established with Erich Kunzel as Music Director

1989 - Sony Tiffany Walkman Award for "visionary recording activities"

1990 – (Memorial Day) Conducts the first nationally broadcast concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

1994 - Presidential Medal for Outstanding Leadership and Achievement, from Dartmouth

1995 - "Others" award from the Salvation Army in honor of his contributions to the city of Cincinnati

1996 - "Distinguished Alumnus Award" from the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity

1998 – Kunzel is the first conductor to present a symphonic pops concert in China

2007 - Celebrates 50th Anniversary as a professional conductor

2008 – Performs two concerts during opening weekend of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

August 1, 2009 - Final appearance with the Cincinnati Pops

Died: September 1, 2009 (74 years of age)

Directed the following orchestras:

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

National Symphony Orchestra

World Super Orchestra

Vienna Volksoper

Boston Pops Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra

Rochester Pops

Naples Philharmonic Orchestra

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

San Francisco Orchestra

Philadelphia Orchestra

Houston Symphony

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Education:

Dartmouth University - 1957 graduate

Harvard University & Brown University - graduate studies

Awards

National Medal of Arts (presented by President Bush) - 2006

Erich Kunzel selected to the American Classical Music Hall of Fame - 2008

Billboard Magazine’s Classical Crossover Artist of the Year – 4 consecutive years

Won several Grammy Awards

Dubbed the "Prince of Pops" by the Chicago Tribune in 1977

Honorary Degrees from the following Colleges and Universities:

Doctor of Arts – Dartmouth College – June 2007

Xavier University

College of Mount St. Joseph

University of Cincinnati

Wilmington College

Northern Kentucky University

Other Important Facts:

Sold over 10 million albums, 56 of which reached the Billboard charts

Married for 44 years to his wife - Brunhilde Kunzel