[Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943)] Kapell, William. (1922-1953) & Ormandy, Eugene. (1899–1985) Signed

[Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943)] Kapell, William. (1922-1953) & Ormandy, Eugene. (1899–1985)

Signed "Rach 2" Program

Rare signed 1945 Philadelphia Orchestra concert program of the great pianist whose flourishing career was cut tragically short by a plane crash on the way back from Australia. Copland wrote of him: “ I cannot conceive of his ever having given a dull performance – an erratic one, perhaps, a misguided or stylistically incongruous one maybe, but invariably one that was electric and alive.” Boldly signed on the program page listing his performance of the second Rachmaninoff Concerto, under the baton of Eugene Ormandy, who has also signed. Hold punches to spine, newsclip and other sheet stapled/pinned to cover and facing page, else fine.
Ormandy's 44-year tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the source of much of his lasting reputation and fame, began in 1936. Two years after his appointment as associate conductor under Leopold Stokowski, he became music director, conducting from 100 to 180 concerts in Philadelphia every year. Upon his retirement in 1980, he was made conductor laureate. (21901)

Classical Music Signed Document/Item