Arnold Mikhailovich Katz, born on September 18, 1924, in Baku, USSR (now Azerbaijan), was a distinguished Russian conductor and educator. He passed away on January 22, 2007, in Beijing, China. Katz was the founder, artistic leader, and principal conductor of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held from 1956 until his death. He was also a lecturer in conducting at the Novosibirsk Conservatory from 1957 to 2004.

Katz's education included studies at the Central School of Music at the Moscow State Conservatory, focusing on violin, and at the Leningrad State Conservatory, where he studied both as a violinist and a conductor under Professor I.A. Musin. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the 38th Engineer Brigade of the 1st Belorussian Front.

Throughout his career, Katz made significant contributions to the Russian classical music scene. He was recognized as a People's Artist of the USSR in 1988. Katz's influence extended through his teaching, with many of his students becoming notable conductors and musicians worldwide.

Under his leadership, the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra performed over five thousand concerts, introducing audiences to a wide range of classical music, including the works of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and many others. Katz also staged several operas and ballets and collaborated with renowned musicians such as Sviatoslav Richter and Mstislav Rostropovich.

Katz's recordings with the Novosibirsk Academic Symphony Orchestra were released on the Melodiya label, featuring works by composers like Purcell, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff. His recording of Taneyev's Fourth Symphony won the First Prize for best interpretation and recording quality in 1980. Additionally, he recorded 11 CDs with labels such as Sony Classical and Art Nova.

Arnold Katz's legacy in the world of classical music is marked by his dedication to performance, education, and the promotion of Russian and international composers.