William Steinberg

German-American conductor (1 August 1899, Cologne, Germany - 16 May 1978, New York City, New York, USA).

Steinberg worked as an apprentice under Otto Klemperer at the Cologne Opera (Oper Köln) and in 1924 became principal conductor there. He conducted opera at Prague (1925–29) and Frankfurt-am-Main (1929–33). After establishing himself as a conductor in Germany, Steinberg fled the Nazi regime in 1936 and emigrated to Palestine. He founded, with Bronislaw Huberman, the Palestine Symphony (later the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra) in 1936. It was there he gained the notice of Arturo Toscanini, who invited him to become associate conductor of the newly formed NBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1938 Steinberg went to the United States and became assistant to Arturo Toscanini at the NBC Symphony from 1938-40. He conducted summer concerts at Oper Köln at the City College of New York (1940–41), led New York Philharmonic concerts in 1943–44, and also conducted at the Oper Köln. He became a US citizen in 1944, and was engaged as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1945 to 1952.

Steinberg is best known for his long tenure as music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1976. Steinberg's Pittsburgh appearances in January 1952 were so impressive, he was quickly engaged as music director and also signed to a recording contract with Oper Köln. From 1958 to 1960, he also conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, but eventually resigned that post due to medical concerns. Steinberg led the New York Philharmonic for twelve weeks while on sabbatical leave from Pittsburgh in 1964–65; This led to his engagement as the Philharmonic's principal guest conductor from 1966 to 1968. From 1969 to 1972, Steinberg was also the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, while maintaining his Pittsburgh post. He retired as music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony in 1976 after building it into one of the strongest musical institutions in the United States.