Henry Krips (conductor)
Encyclopedia
Henry Maria Krips MBE
(10 February 191225 January 1987) was an Austrian-Australian conductor and composer, best known for his 23-year record term (1949-72) as principal conductor of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra
(it had been founded in 1936 as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
and reverted to that name in 1975). He is credited with introducing the works of Gustav Mahler
to Australian audiences.
Henry Krips was born in Vienna
; his brother was the conductor Josef Krips
. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory, and made his début in 1932 at the Burgtheater there. In 1938 emigrated to Australia. He formed the Krips-de Vries Opera Company there, and also served as musical director for the Kirsova Ballet in Sydney in 1941. He was naturalised in 1944.
From 1947 Krips worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
. He was the main conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra
(Perth
) from 1948 to 1972, and the principal conductor of the then-named South Australian Symphony Orchestra (Adelaide) from 1949 to 1972. He became an Australian citizen in 1944. For more than 20 years he played a leading part in Australian and New Zealand musical life.
In 1951 there was a competition for a new national anthem to celebrate the golden jubilee of the federation of Australia
. Krips's entry This Land of Mine won the competition, but was not taken up as the national anthem.
In 1970 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire
(MBE).
In 1972 he moved to London, where he had appeared as a guest conductor with the Sadler's Wells
Opera from 1967, and conducted occasional concerts. His performances of Johann Strauss and Franz Lehár
were particularly admired. His compositions include opera, ballets, numerous songs and instrumental pieces.
Henry Krips died in 1987, in Adelaide
. His grandson, Henry 'Wagons' Krips, is a prominent vocalist, performing as the singer of the popular alt-country Australian band, Wagons.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(10 February 191225 January 1987) was an Austrian-Australian conductor and composer, best known for his 23-year record term (1949-72) as principal conductor of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
(it had been founded in 1936 as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
and reverted to that name in 1975). He is credited with introducing the works of Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler was a late-Romantic Austrian composer and one of the leading conductors of his generation. He was born in the village of Kalischt, Bohemia, in what was then Austria-Hungary, now Kaliště in the Czech Republic...
to Australian audiences.
Henry Krips was born in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
; his brother was the conductor Josef Krips
Josef Krips
Josef Alois Krips was an Austrian conductor and violinist.-Biography:Krips was born in Vienna and went on to become a pupil of Eusebius Mandyczewski and Felix Weingartner. From 1921 to 1924, he served as Weingartner's assistant at the Vienna Volksoper and as répétiteur and chorus master...
. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory, and made his début in 1932 at the Burgtheater there. In 1938 emigrated to Australia. He formed the Krips-de Vries Opera Company there, and also served as musical director for the Kirsova Ballet in Sydney in 1941. He was naturalised in 1944.
From 1947 Krips worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. He was the main conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra , often known as the "Orchestra of the West", is the premier professional orchestra of the state of Western Australia.-History:...
(Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
) from 1948 to 1972, and the principal conductor of the then-named South Australian Symphony Orchestra (Adelaide) from 1949 to 1972. He became an Australian citizen in 1944. For more than 20 years he played a leading part in Australian and New Zealand musical life.
In 1951 there was a competition for a new national anthem to celebrate the golden jubilee of the federation of Australia
Federation of Australia
The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
. Krips's entry This Land of Mine won the competition, but was not taken up as the national anthem.
In 1970 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(MBE).
In 1972 he moved to London, where he had appeared as a guest conductor with the Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
Opera from 1967, and conducted occasional concerts. His performances of Johann Strauss and Franz Lehár
Franz Lehár
Franz Lehár was an Austrian-Hungarian composer. He is mainly known for his operettas of which the most successful and best known is The Merry Widow .-Biography:...
were particularly admired. His compositions include opera, ballets, numerous songs and instrumental pieces.
Henry Krips died in 1987, in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
. His grandson, Henry 'Wagons' Krips, is a prominent vocalist, performing as the singer of the popular alt-country Australian band, Wagons.