Willem Mengelberg was a Dutch conductor known for his expressive and romantic style. He was also an advocate for new music and a highly respected interpreter of Mahler.
He was born on March 28, 1871, in Utrecht, the Netherlands, to German parents and was the fourth oldest of his 14 siblings. His father was a very successful sculptor and architect who specialized in furniture and interior design for churches. Mengelberg received his first musical instruction in Utrecht from Richard Hol, Henri Wilhelm Petri, and Anton Averkamp. This was followed by studies with Franz Wullner, ...