Böhm, Karl, 1894–1981, Austrian conductor. He studied with the musicologist Eusebius Mandyczewski and took a law degree before turning to conducting. After successful appearances with leading German orchestras, he was appointed director of the Vienna State Opera, a position he held from 1943 to 1945 and from 1954 to 1956. In 1956, Böhm gave his first American performance, conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He subsequently appeared with many European and American orchestras, including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra. He showed a preference for the works of Mozart and Richard Strauss.

Böhm, Karl

(born Aug. 28, 1894, Graz, Austria—died Aug. 14, 1981, Salzburg) Austrian conductor. Having risen from rehearsal pianist to chief conductor at the Graz Opera House, he was invited to conduct at the Munich Opera in 1921. As director of the Dresden State Opera (1934–42), he conducted numerous premieres. He had a long association with the Salzburg Festival (from 1938) and was especially admired for his interpretations of the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His recordings and performances elicited admirable qualities of warmth, subtlety, and lyricism.