Famous Conductors - List of Famous Conductors

conductors are probably among those professionals who never get the due credit they deserve! While everyone who attends concerts raves about the brilliant performances of the musicians, only a few are even aware of the significant role a music conductor plays in directing the artistes’ performances. Conductors not only act as guides to the orchestras but also choose the work the musicians perform. Music conducting, in its modern form, began to evolve in the 19th century. Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, an Italian opera composer, was an eminent conductor of his era. The renowned composers Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner were also considered conductors of great calibre. Wagner played a major role in shaping the conductor's role in directing the orchestra. In the 20th century, Hungarian conductor Arthur Nikisch emerged as one of the most successful conductors of all time. While women conductors were unheard of once upon a time, the 21st century saw many talented ladies like Hortense von Gelmini (de), Marin Alsop and Simone Young break the gender barrier and build careers for themselves as conductors. Taiwanese-born Apo Hsu is another woman conductor of international fame. Check out this section to know more about some of the greatest conductors, the world has seen.

The Most Famous Conductors

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Placido DomingoJanuary 21, 1941SpanishJosé Plácido Domingo Embil is a famous Spanish conductor and tenor who has recorded more than 100 opera performances
Harry Connick Jr.September 11, 1967AmericanHarry Connick, Jr
Duke EllingtonApril 29, 1899AmericanDuke Ellington was an American jazz composer and performer who is among one of the greatest names in the history of jazz
Quincy JonesMarch 14, 1933AmericanQuincy Jones is an American record producer, film & TV producer, composer, conductor, instrumentalist, jazz trumpeter, and record company executive
John Philip SousaNovember 6, 1854AmericanJohn Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor who was renowned for his unmatched mastery in military march compositions
Max BruchJanuary 6, 1838GermanA German romantic composer and conductor, Max Bruch is notably famous for his violin concertos that feature among his 200 plus works! Read this captivating biography to know about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.
Franz LisztOctober 22, 1811German, HungarianFranz Liszt was a famous Hungarian composer and pianist
Camille Saint-SaënsOctober 9, 1835FrenchCamille Saint-Saens was the French composer and organist who wrote the opera ‘Samson et Dalila’
George MartinJanuary 3, 1926BritishThe eminent record producer, George Martin is often referred to as the ‘fifth Beatles’
Nadia BoulangerSeptember 16, 1887FrenchNadia Boulanger was a French musician counted among the best teachers of musical composition of the 20th century
Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach

Burt Freeman Bacharach is a legendary American composer, songwriter, singer, pianist, and record producer

AmericanMay 12, 1928137 views

John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor who was renowned for his unmatched mastery in military march compositions

Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saens was the French composer and organist who wrote the opera ‘Samson et Dalila’

FrenchOctober 9, 1835179 views

Nadia Boulanger

Nadia Boulanger was a French musician counted among the best teachers of musical composition of the 20th century

FrenchSeptember 16, 1887149 views

Isaac Stern

Isaac Stern was a Polish-born American musician

AmericanJuly 21, 1920114 views

Max Bruch

A German romantic composer and conductor, Max Bruch is notably famous for his violin concertos that feature among his 200 plus works! Read this captivating biography to know about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.

GermanJanuary 6, 1838191 views

Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner was a German composer best remembered for his operas and music dramas

GermanMay 22, 1813127 views

Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt was a famous Hungarian composer and pianist

GermanOctober 22, 1811181 views

Alfred Newman

Alfred Newman was one of the most respected and famous music composers

AmericanMarch 17, 1901128 views

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington was an American jazz composer and performer who is among one of the greatest names in the history of jazz

AmericanApril 29, 1899210 views