Efrem Kurtz was a Russian-born conductor and composer who is best known for his work with the London Symphony Orchestra. He was born in St. Petersburg in 1902 and studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music. He was appointed principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra in 1950 and held the post until his death in 1995. He was also a professor of conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1965 and was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1975.