Walter Hendl was an influential American conductor, composer, and pianist born in West New York, New Jersey in 1917. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, he held significant roles with leading orchestras and institutions, including the New York Philharmonic, Dallas and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, and the Eastman School of Music. Hendl was the first artistic director of the Ravinia Festival and championed contemporary music through premieres and stage compositions. He also made acclaimed recordings with RCA Victor alongside renowned artists such as Jascha Heifetz and Van Cliburn. Hendl passed away in 2007 in Pennsylvania.