Title
George Szell: A Life of Music (Music in American Life),Used
Sold by Ergodebooks, an authorized reseller.
Returns accepted within 30 days | support@ergodebooks.com
Shipping Information
- Free Standard Shipping — United States only
- Processing Time: 1–3 business days
- Estimated Delivery: 3–5 business days after dispatch
- Double-boxed, fully insured & discreetly packaged
- Tracking number sent via email once dispatched
- Orders over $250 require signature upon delivery. Taxes calculated at checkout.
Returns & Refund
Returns accepted within 30 days of delivery.
Damaged or Defective Item
Free return shipping + replacement or full refund
Wrong Item Received
Free return shipping + replacement or full refund
Change of Mind
Return shipping at customer's expense · 25% restocking fee applies
Payment Option
This book is the first full biography of George Szell, one of the greatest orchestra and opera conductors of the twentieth century. From child prodigy pianist and composer to worldrenowned conductor, Szell's career spanned seven decades, and he led most of the great orchestras and opera companies of the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the NBC and Chicago Symphonies, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and Opera, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. A protg of composerconductor Richard Strauss at the Berlin State Opera, his crowning achievement was his twentyfouryear tenure as musical director of the Cleveland Orchestra, transforming it into one of the world's greatest ensembles, touring triumphantly in the United States, Europe, the Soviet Union, South Korea, and Japan.Michael Charry, a conductor who worked with Szell and interviewed him, his family, and his associates over several decades, draws on this firsthand material and correspondence, orchestra records, reviews, and other archival sources to construct a lively and balanced portrait of Szell's life and work from his birth in 1897 in Budapest to his death in 1970 in Cleveland.Readers will follow Szell from his career in Europe, Great Britain, and Australia to his guest conducting at the New York Philharmonic and his distinguished tenure at the Metropolitan Opera and Cleveland Orchestra. Charry details Szell's personal and musical qualities, his recordings and broadcast concerts, his approach to the great works of the orchestral repertoire, and his famous orchestrational changes and interpretation of the symphonies of Robert Schumann. The book also lists Szell's conducting repertoire and includes a comprehensive discography.In highlighting Szell's legacy as a teacher and mentor as well as his contributions to orchestral and opera history, this biography will be of lasting interest to concertgoers, music lovers, conductors, musicians inspired by Szell's many great performances, and new generations who will come to know those performances through Szell's recorded legacy.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of the book 'George Szell: A Life of Music'? A: The book provides a comprehensive biography of George Szell, highlighting his life as one of the greatest orchestra and opera conductors of the twentieth century.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The biography is authored by Michael Charry, a conductor who worked with Szell and conducted extensive interviews with him and those close to him.
- Q: What are some key achievements of George Szell mentioned in the book? A: Szell is noted for his long tenure as musical director of the Cleveland Orchestra, transforming it into a world-class ensemble, and his guest conducting with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic.
- Q: Is the book suitable for someone who is not a classical music expert? A: Yes, the book is written in a way that is accessible to both music lovers and those new to classical music, providing context and insights into Szell's contributions.
- Q: What type of additional materials does the book include? A: The book includes a comprehensive discography, Szell's conducting repertoire, and details about his recordings and broadcast concerts.
- Q: When was 'George Szell: A Life of Music' published? A: The book was published on June 1, 2011.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The biography consists of 412 pages.
- Q: What genre does this book belong to? A: The book falls under the Classical genre.
- Q: Can this book be a good gift for a music student? A: Yes, the book serves as an excellent gift for music students, offering insights into conducting, orchestral history, and the life of an influential figure in classical music.