Reiner, Fritz (rīn`ər), 1888–1963, American conductor, b. Budapest. After serving as conductor of the People's Opera in Budapest (1911–14) and the Court Opera in Dresden (1914–21), he came (1922) to the United States as conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony (1922–31). He was later musical director of the Pittsburgh Symphony (1938–48), the Metropolitan Opera (1948–53), and the Chicago Symphony (1953–62). He was known for his ruthless insistence on precision and clarity.

Reiner, Fritz

(born Dec. 19, 1888, Budapest, Austria-Hungary—died Nov. 15, 1963, New York, N.Y., U.S.) Hungarian-born U.S. conductor. After piano studies with Béla Bartók, he conducted opera in Budapest (1911–14) and Dresden (1914–22). In 1922 he immigrated to the U.S., where he conducted orchestras in Cincinnati (1922–31) and Pittsburgh (1938–48). From 1953 to 1962 he led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which under Reiner first won international acclaim. He also taught conducting at the Curtis Institute (Leonard Bernstein was among his students). A stern taskmaster, he inspired devotion on the part of many players.

Reiner, Fritz (1888–1963) conductor; born in Budapest, Hungary. Reiner conducted opera in Budapest and Dresden before coming to the U.S.A. in 1922 to take over the Cincinnati Symphony. He left Cincinnati in 1931 to guest-conduct and teach at the Curtis Institute, then took the podium of the Pittsburgh Symphony (1938–48). After several seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Reiner found his greatest acclaim leading the Chicago Symphony between 1953 and 1962. A ruthless taskmaster, he was admired for his impeccable performances of a wide range of music.