Paul van Kempen

Dutch Classical Conductor and Violinist

Paul van Kempen (1893–1955) was a Dutch conductor known for his interpretations of German Romantic music. He began his musical career as a violinist in various orchestras before transitioning to conducting. Van Kempen served as the conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra from 1934 to 1942 and later led the Berlin Philharmonic for a brief period during World War II. After the war, he worked with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and also with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. His tenure with these orchestras solidified his reputation as a distinguished conductor. Despite his achievements, his career was not without controversy, particularly due to his activities in Germany during the Nazi era, which led to some opposition when he returned to the Netherlands after the war. Nonetheless, van Kempen left behind a legacy of recordings that continue to be appreciated by classical music enthusiasts.