 |
Dean DixonAmerican conductor
Date of Birth: 10.01.1915
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Dean Dixon: A Trailblazing Conductor
- Overcoming Prejudice:
- Rise to Prominence:
- International Career:
- Frankfurt and Beyond:
- Notable Recordings:
- Championing American Composers:
- Later Career:
- Legacy:
Dean Dixon: A Trailblazing Conductor
Early Life and Education:Dean Dixon was born in Harlem, New York, on January 10, 1915, to Caribbean immigrants. He studied orchestral conducting under Albert Stoessel at The Juilliard School and Columbia University.
Overcoming Prejudice:
As an African American, Dixon faced racial prejudice that initially hindered his career. Undeterred, he established his own classical orchestra and choral society in 1931.
Rise to Prominence:
In 1941, Dixon guest conducted the NBC Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic during their summer seasons. He later collaborated with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, and was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award in 1948.
International Career:
In 1949, Dixon moved to Israel to lead the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for two years. From 1953 to 1960, he served as Chief Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, and from 1964 to 1967, he led the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Frankfurt and Beyond:
Dixon held the position of Chief Conductor of the hr-Sinfonieorchester in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1961 to 1974. While in Europe, he guest conducted with the WDR Sinfonieorchester and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks in Munich.
Notable Recordings:
Dixon made several recordings with the Prague Symphony Orchestra for the label 'Bärenreiter', including works by Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Weber. He also recorded symphonies and incidental music from Schubert's 'Rosamunde' for 'Westminster Records' in the 1950s.
Championing American Composers:
Dixon introduced European audiences to the works of many American composers, including William Grant Still. He also played a significant role in promoting music education and youth orchestras in the United States.
Later Career:
In the 1970s, Dixon returned to the US and guest conducted with prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra. He also led the Brooklyn Philharmonic, renowned for its children's concerts.
Legacy:
Dean Dixon received the ASCAP Award for his contributions to music education. He passed away on November 2, 1976, in Zurich, Switzerland, at the age of 61. His career arc, as he once famously stated, progressed from "Black American conductor Dean Dixon" to "American conductor Dean Dixon" and finally to simply "conductor Dean Dixon."
