Eugen Jochum

Regarded by many in the field of classical music as possibly the greatest conductor of Johannes Brahm's music, Eugen Jochum was an influential figure within German classical music. He began his professional career as a rehearsal pianist after completing his studies at the Munich Conservatory and made his conducting debut in 1926 with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Whilst still in his twenties Jochum received offers from America to appear with the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra but he turned them down because he believed it was too early in his career and he wasn't sufficiently experienced. A few years later the US's interest in Jochum was less welcome when he was temporarily blacklisted by the American military authorities in post war Germany for alleged links with the Nazi Party. Such links were never proven and the Americans cleared him in 1948 but later noted that members of his family were fanatical Nazis. The incident caused a diplomatic row between Britain and the USA after British officials had protested on Jochum's behalf. Jochum frequently appeared in London, often with either the London Philharmonic Orchestra or the London Symphony Orchestra. During his career he made many notable recordings, mainly for Duetsche Grammophon, and he was frequently associated with the music of Anton Bruckner. Jochum died in Munich in 1987 at the age of 84.

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