SUSSKIND, (Jan) WALTER

SUSSKIND, (Jan) WALTER (1913–1980), conductor, pianist, and composer of Czech birth. He studied composition with Suk and Karel Hába, piano with Hoffmeister at the Prague Conservatory, and conducting with *Szell at the Academy of Music in Prague. Susskind became Szell's assistant at the German Opera, Prague, and played piano with the Czech Trio (1933–38). After the German occupation he went to London where he served as pianist with the exiled Czech Trio until 1942. He resumed his conducting career (1941) and became a naturalized British subject (1946). He assumed directorships with the Carl Rosa Opera Company in London (1943–45), the Scottish National Orchestra (1946–52), the Victoria Symphony Orchestra (SO), Melbourne (1953–55), the Toronto SO (1956–65), the Aspen (Colorado) Music Festival (1962–68), and the St Louis SO (1968–75). His last position was with the Cincinnati Orchestra (1978–80). Susskind also appeared regularly as guest conductor with the major orchestras of Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America and taught at the University of Southern Illinois (1968–75). He was a highly accomplished conductor, being a technically secure and polished musician. During his time in Toronto he expanded the orchestral repertory widely, introducing new works such as Bruckner's and Mahler's symphonies. He continued this policy of exploratory program building with the St. Louis SO, which under his direction became a leading American orchestra. Together they made over 200 recordings. He founded the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (1960) and was known as a great mentor of young conductors. Susskind wrote several compositions among them 4 Songs for Voice and String Quartet (1935), 9 Slovak Sketches for Orchestra, Passacaglia for Timpani and Chamber Orchestra (1977), and scores for films and the theater.

bibliography:

J. Hunt, Grove Music Online; Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians (1997); Makers of the Philharmonia (1996).

[Naama Ramot (2^nd ed.)]