Los Angeles County
Biographies
WERNER JANSSEN
Werner Janssen, symphony conductor, was born June 1, 1900, in New York City, New York; son of August Louis and Alice (Boeckman) Janssen.
Student at Phillips Exeter Academy, 1916-18; Dartmouth, 1918-21 (honorary Mus D, 1934); American Academy in Rome, 1930-34 (Prix de Rome Juilliard Fellowship).
Mr. Janssen has been a professional musician since 1914. He has conducted under Toscanini as first native New Yorker to conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra (Academy of Music), in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis and Rochester; conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in the Hollywood Bowl many times. Mr. Janssen has conducted every major symphony orchestra in Europe; conducted many commercial radio hours in the United States; conducted entire season, 1937-38, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and was regular conductor, 1938-39. Many recordings, Columbia Master Works, RCA Victor, Capitol Classics, Artists, etc.
In 1940 he founded and conducted the Janssen Symphony of Los Angeles. In May, June and July of 1941 he was engaged for a tour as guest conductor of leading orchestras in South America; conducted Janssen Symphony in concerts, Standard Oil Broadcasts artist; and Victor Red Seal Recordings.
He was musical director and conductor of the Utah Symphony at Salt Lake City, 1946-47; appointed musical director and conductor of Portland (Oregon) Symphony in 1947; appointed director of San Diego Philharmonic 1952-53.
During World War I Mr. Janssen served as sergeant with the infantry, United States Army.
Fellow of American Academy in Rome; decorated Knight First Class Order of White Rose (Finland) for interpretations of Sibelius symphonies. Member of Alpha Nu, and Phi Delta Theta fraternities. Episcopalian.
Mr. Janssen married (2nd) Ann Harding on January 17, 1937; one step-daughter, Jane Harding Bannister. He has two children by his first marriage, Werner, Jr. and Alice.
Address: P. O. Box 1465, Beverly Hills, California.
Transcribed 7-17-14 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Eminent
Californians 1953, by Lee E. Johnson & C. W. Taylor. Pages 393-394, C. W. Taylor
Publ., Palo Alto, California, 1953.
© 2014 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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BIOGRAPHIES