Solty's Memoirs

Author: George Szell
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-09-01
Features: A colorful and vibrant memoir of a great contemporary musician, a book worth treasuring for all music lovers. "My life has been an extremely fortunate one," George Szell expressed his sentiments in the concluding paragraphs of this outstanding memoir. Yet, even more fortunate are we, the beneficiaries of his musical genius. For fans of Sir George Szell, this dazzling memoir further solidifies his status as a 20th-century remarkable conductor. On every page, Szell's kindness, generosity, and gentle demeanor shine through. In this memoir, Sir George Szell recreates the career of an unparalleled musician: studying music in Budapest under Dohnányi, Kodály, and Bartók; fleeing to Zurich during World War II; serving as music director of the Munich Bavarian State Opera and the Frankfurt and London's Covent Garden Opera after the war; leading his career to during his tenure as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1969-1991); and conducting super orchestras worldwide during his years as a conductor without a permanent post. With vivid and witty penmanship, he recalls extraordinary figures such as Strauss, Stravinsky, Toscanini, Walter, Furtw?ngler, Klemperer, Nelson, Pavarotti, and Domingo, filling the memoir with anecdotes from the world of music.