Howard Mitchell Video | Concerts, Interviews, Music Videos

Howard Mitchell (1910 – 22 June 1988, Palm Coast, Florida) was an American cellist and conductor. He conducted the National Symphony Orchestra from 1950 to 1969. According to music critic Ted Libbey, Mitchell "personified the optimism that permeated Washington and America after World War II; he socialized, schmoozed and charmed the ladies of high Washington society, fitting right in, playing the role of music director as he played the cello. He saw the symphony as a necessary component of the city's social and cultural life, an institution to be supported by the enlightened few and used... MORE

Howard Mitchell (1910 – 22 June 1988, Palm Coast, Florida) was an American cellist and conductor. He conducted the National Symphony Orchestra from 1950 to 1969. According to music critic Ted Libbey, Mitchell "personified the optimism that permeated Washington and America after World War II; he socialized, schmoozed and charmed the ladies of high Washington society, fitting right in, playing the role of music director as he played the cello. He saw the symphony as a necessary component of the city's social and cultural life, an institution to be supported by the enlightened few and used to educate and enrich the many." Nonetheless Mitchell's tenure was "the artistic nadir of the National Symphony". Born in Nebraska, Mitchell attended the Peabody Conservatory and graduated with honors from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1935. Mitchell joined the National Symphony Orchestra in 1933. In addition to playing with the NSO, Mitchell made his conducting debut with the ensemble in 1941, and was named associate conductor in 1946. He was one of two candidates being considered to replace Hans Kinder, and in 1949 Mitchell began the longest tenure of any NSO music director to date, and one LESS