Walter Damrosch

Walter Johannes Damrosch (January 30, 1862 – December 22, 1950) was a Prussian and American conductor and composer. He was the director of the New York Symphony Orchestra and conducted the world premiere performances of various works, including Aaron Copland's Symphony for Organ and Orchestra, George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F and An American in Paris, and Jean Sibelius' Tapiola. Damrosch was also instrumental in the founding of Carnegie Hall. He also conducted the first performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the composer as soloist. His 1918 arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner", co-authored with John Philip Sousa, is the basis of most performances of the song today.