Leo Blech (b Aachen, 21 April 1871; d Berlin, 24 Aug 1958). German conductor and composer. He studied in Berlin (composition with Humperdinck) and from 1893 conducted at Aachen, then the German Theatre, Prague. From 1906 he was chiefly in Berlin, at the Hofoper, the Deutsche Opernhaus and the Volksoper; at the Staatsoper (from 1926) he distinguished himself in Verdi and Wagner until, being Jewish, he was obliged to stay in Riga in 1937. He was at the Stockholm Royal Opera during the 1940s and returned to Berlin in 1949 (Städtische Oper). Blech was also admired as an orchestral conductor. His own operas were successfully produced, notably Versiegelt (1908, Hamburg). Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony no 5 in E minor, Op. 64 Rec.: October 1930 Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48: Waltz and Finale Rec.: March 1929 Berlin State Opera Orchestra Conductor: Leo Blech
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