Otto Klemperer (May 14, 1885 – July 6, 1973) was a German-born conductor and composer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century.
The Philharmonia Orchestra was founded in 1945 by Walter Legge, and although it gave live concerts occasionally, it was mainly intended to be a recording orchestra for EMI, where Legge was an executive. Thomas Beecham led its debut concert in 1946, but he was rejected as the orchestra's principal conductor, following his attempts to take control of the orchestra and change its name. Beecham instead went on to found the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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