Václav Neumann

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Václav Neumann (October 29, 1920 - September 2, 1995) was a Czech conductor, violinist and viola player.

Neumann was born in Prague and studied at the conservatoire there. He co-founded, and played 1st violin in, the Smetana Quartet, before holding conducting posts in Carlsbad and Brno. In 1956 he became conductor at the Komische Oper in Berlin, leaving in 1964 he left to become conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. He stayed there until 1968 when he became principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, a post he held until 1990.

Neumann was particularly noted as a champion of Czech music, and made the first studio recording of Leoš Janáček's opera The Excursions of Mr. Broucek in 1962.

Preceded by: Franz Konwitschny	Kapellmeister, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra 1964–1968	Succeeded by: Heinz Bongartz
Preceded by: Karel Ančerl	Chief Conductor, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra 1968–1989	Succeeded by: Jiří Bělohlávek