Szell, George. (1897–1970)

Signed Photograph

Signed photograph of the great conductor, who is shown in a composite image of three separate poses at the podium. He has signed and inscribed at the foot in green. Mounted on same-size heavy card, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.2 cm).

In 1915, at the age of 18, Szell won an appointment with Berlin's Royal Court Opera (now known as the Staatsoper). There, he was befriended by its Music Director, Richard Strauss. Strauss instantly recognized Szell's talent and was particularly impressed with how well the teenager conducted Strauss's music. The two remained friends after Szell left the Royal Court Opera in 1919. In the fifteen years during and after World War I Szell worked with opera houses and orchestras in Europe. In 1946, Szell was asked to become the Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra, beginning the longest tenure of his musical life, for which he is justly remembered as one of the most important conductors of the 20th century. (17246)
Signed Photograph
Classical Music