Mengelberg, Willem (1871-1951)

Dutch conductor. In 1895 he was appointed conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. He made it one of the finest orchestras in Europe, giving early performances of works by Strauss and Mahler, including the first complete cycle of Mahler's symphonies at Amsterdam in 1920. However, he fell under a cloud when he openly declared his sympathy with Nazi rule during World War II, and went into exile in Switzerland.

He studied at Cologne, became conductor at Lucerne in 1891, and in 1895 was appointed conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. In 1933 he was appointed professor of music at Utrecht University.