Willi Boskovsky

Austrian Conductor and Violinist

Willi Boskovsky was an Austrian violinist and conductor, renowned for his association with the music of the Strauss family. Born on June 16, 1909, in Vienna, he became a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 1936 and served as its concertmaster from 1939 to 1970. Boskovsky is perhaps best known for his role as the conductor of the Vienna New Year's Concert between 1955 and 1979. In this capacity, he succeeded Clemens Krauss and helped to popularize the works of Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, and other members of the Strauss dynasty through these annual concerts broadcast worldwide.