The Resume

(April 5, 1908-July 16, 1989)
Principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic
Recorded Beethoven's nine symphonies, 'La Boheme,' Tchaikovsky's symphonies 4, 5 and 6, Mahler's symphonies 6 and 9, Bruckner's symphonies 7 and 8, 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' complete Brahms symphonies, works of Richard Strauss, Dvorak, Sibelius and Mozart

Why he might be annoying:

He joined the Nazi party to advance his career, even though his wife was part Jewish.
He conducted with his eyes closed, and barely moved his arms.
He ignored the composer's intentions in favor of his own concept of a piece.
He forced the Berlin Philharmonic to name him 'Conductor For Life' (1956).
He refused to give up the title, even when he got old and ill and could no longer conduct.
He talked about how money wasn't important, but owned yachts, race cars and a gigantic art collection.
He named a yacht 'Helisara' - a combination of his name with those of his wife and daughters (Herbert, Eliette, Isabel and Arabel).

Why he might not be annoying:

He had a unique, powerful musical vision.
He became the best known conductor in the world.
He was one of the most successful classical recording artists of all time.
Next to Mozart, he was the most famous person to come out of Salzburg.
He was an accomplished sailor.
He was interested in Japanese culture.
He made the Berlin Philharmonic into one of the world's great orchestras, which it still is today.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [April] (Ranked: 4051908)
• Grammy for Best Children's Album (Ranked: 1960)
• I am a Nazi
• I Died in 1989 (Ranked: 81)
• I Don't Like to Rehearse
• I Stutter/Stammer
• Look at Me, I'm Choking
• Opera Singers and Composers
• Profiles 12251-12500 (Ranked: 12287)
• Silver Foxes [Gray and Don't Care]
• Supersized Egos
• Wieland Kalligaro's Profiles [Series 3]

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 50 Votes: 32.00% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 21 Votes: 52.38% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 53.12% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 22 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 13 Votes: 76.92% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 128 Votes: 54.69% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 80 Votes: 61.25% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 25 Votes: 64.00% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 42 Votes: 54.76% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 32 Votes: 59.38% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 125 Votes: 65.60% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 259 Votes: 67.57% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 118 Votes: 62.71% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 619 Votes: 51.70% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 336 Votes: 67.86% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 86 Votes: 67.44% Annoying