Oswald Kabasta [source]

Right now I can hear the "gay pride" fireworks outside. It's odd to hear something that sounds like we're being bombed as I listen to a program on KUSC featuring recordings of symphonies conducted by Oswald Kabasta. Go read that last link. Kabasta was a pro-Nazi conductor originally from Austria, and performed in Munich until performances were suspended due to heavy Allied bombing in 1944. After his de-Nazification hearing, and his demotion to the status of a "common laborer," he committed suicide in February 1946.

The recordings we heard tonight were extraordinary. It's sad to think such a musical genius was so terribly wrong in his political beliefs.

All hail the power of the internet! I had never heard his story until I listened to this music today from a radio station on the other side of the country.