Kostelanetz, André

Kostelanetz, André

(än`drā kŏs'təlä`nĭts), 1901–80, American pianist and conductor, b. St. Petersburg, Russia. After studying at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music, he emigrated to the United States in 1922 and became a citizen in 1928. As a conductor Kostelanetz concentrated on popular and semiclassical works and on simplified versions of famous symphonies. He became popular while appearing regularly on radio and made many records.