Max Pommer， sometimes called one of the few remaining "Old World" conductors， first drew attention for his interpretations of the works of J.S. Bach and other Baroque composers. But since the 1980s he has explored a much broader range of repertory， taking in compositions by contemporary Finnish composers Einojuhani Rautavaara and Kalevi Aho， as well as more traditional fare by Haydn， Mozart， Schubert， Debussy， and even Weill. Pommer， more than most first — rank conductors， has devoted much of his career to teaching， as well as to conducting university ensembles. He has also made numerous recordings for Capriccio， Ondine， and Berlin Classics， and is known to many casual record buyers through his appearances on several popular theme-oriented recordings， such as the Classical Relaxation and Instruments of Classical Music series for Delta.