Henry Krips

Henry Joseph Krips MBE (10 February 1912 – 25 January 1987) was an Austrian-Australian conductor and composer, best known for his 23-year record term (1949-72) as principal conductor of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Henry Krips was born in Vienna; his brother was the conductor Josef Krips. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory, and made his début in 1932 at the Burgtheater there. In 1938 emigrated to Australia. He formed the Krips-de Vries Opera Company there, and also served as musical director for the Kirsova Ballet in Sydney in 1941.

From 1947 Krips worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He was the main conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (Perth) from 1948 to 1972, and the principal conductor of the then-named South Australian Symphony Orchestra (Adelaide) from 1949 to 1972. He became an Australian citizen in 1944. For more than 20 years he played a leading part in Australian and New Zealand musical life.

In 1951 there was a competition for a new national anthem to celebrate the golden jubilee of the federation of Australia. Krips’s entry "This Land of Mine" won the competition, but was not taken up as the national anthem.

In 1970 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1084782&search_type=advanced&showInd=true It’s an Honour: MBE] ]

In 1972 he moved to London, where he had appeared as a guest conductor with the Sadlers Wells Opera from 1967, and conducted occasional concerts. His performances of Johann Strauss and Franz Lehár were particularly admired. His compositions include opera, ballets, numerous songs and instrumental pieces.

External links

* [http://lachlan.bluehaze.com.au/aaf/aaf_fact_17.html]
* [http://phonoarchive.org/grove/Entries/S15546.htm]