Rene Leibowitz: Overture

Rene Liebowitz (1913-1972): Overture for Orchestra (1958) Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg, conducting in a performance in Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (1958) Thoroughly ensconced in recorded repertoire as a conductor, Polish-Born French Rene Liebowitz (1913-1972) is less known as a composer, orchestrator, writer, and teacher. Champion of the Second Vienna School, he was introduced to the music of Schoenberg in Paris where he studied under both Schoenberg and Ravel. Later, settling In Paris, he taught such composers as Webern among others. Rene Leibowitz’s repertoire as a conductor spanned virtually everything including opera, from the Baroque to the most modern 20th century composers. His compositions also covered a considerable range of works as well. He composed the brief Overture for Orchestra in 1958. It was premiered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of William Steinberg. Michael Holmberg writes about this 12-tone work in th