Lucerne Festival Historic Performances: George Szell
8/30/2013, 8 Tracks, 1:21:05
Featuring
George Szell
Czech Philharmonic
Schweizerisches Festspielorchester
Antonín Dvořák
Johannes Brahms
Did you know?
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Historical Context
The 1969 performance by the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by George Szell, occurred shortly after the 1968 'Prague Spring' invasion, making it a politically charged event.
Performer Biography
George Szell, the conductor, was born in Budapest in 1897 and was part of the 'Hungarian connection' of conductors who set new standards in US-American orchestral culture.
Performer Biography
George Szell became chief conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra in 1946 and shaped it into one of the world's best ensembles, combining American brilliance with European style.
Recording & Production
The historical publications by audite, the record label, are based on original analogue tapes from broadcasting archives, which can achieve high quality even by today's standards.
Interpretation
George Szell's conducting style is characterized by rhythmic precision, transparent ensemble playing, and absolute faithfulness to the work, with a focus on structural overview.
Performer Biography
George Szell began his career as a child prodigy on the piano, making his debut with Mozart's A major concerto at age ten and touring Europe as the 'new Mozart'.
Recording & Production
This album features live recordings from the LUCERNE FESTIVAL, with the Dvořák symphony recorded in 1969 and the Brahms symphony in 1962.
