Ferdinand Löwe

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Ferdinand Löwe (born 19 February 1865 in Vienna, died 6 January 1925) was an Austrian conductor.

Löwe's career centered around Vienna and Munich. From 1896 Löwe conducted the Kaim Orchestra (today the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra), and in 1900 Löwe founded and conducted the Wiener Concertvereinsorchester (today the Vienna Symphony Orchestra) in 1900. In addition to this, he taught at the Vienna Conservatoire.

A pupil of Anton Bruckner, Löwe was one of the main popularizers of Bruckner's symphonies. He would sometimes persuade the composer to rearrange his music in order to make it more palatable to the public. In the case of Bruckner's Ninth Symphony, Löwe himself made significant changes to the harmony, orchestration, phrasing and dynamics before the posthumous premiere (which was conducted by Löwe). Bruckner's original conception of the symphony was not heard until 1932 when it was revived by Siegmund von Hausegger, Löwe's successor at Munich. The symphony is today performed without Löwe's changes.

Preceded by Hermann Zumpe	Principal conductors, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra 1897–1898	Succeeded by Felix Weingartner
Preceded by none	Principal Conductors, Vienna Symphony Orchestra 1900–1925	Succeeded by Wilhelm Furtwängler
Preceded by Georg Schnéevoigt	Principal conductors, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra 1908–1914	Succeeded by Hans Pfitzner