Theodore Spiering

Biography

Theodore Spiering earned renown as a violinist and conductor, garnering accolades for his sensitive leadership of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and for bringing European rigor to American concert life. After studying abroad, he returned to the city that shaped his early career and helped raise the standards of performance, rehearsal, and repertoire selection.

He also nurtured young musicians, offering guidance that echoed the passion he felt for vibrant ensemble playing. His sudden passing in 1925 is still felt by those who cherish the high musical ideals he embodied, and he rests at Bellefontaine Cemetery as a testament to artistry balanced with mentorship.