Warner Recordings 1934-1970

It is 50 years since the death of George Szell, a formidable conductor whose uncompromising quest for perfection drew performances of exalted quality from soloists and orchestras. His long tenure as the Cleveland Orchestra's music director - from 1946 to 1970 - established it firmly as one of the world's great ensembles.

Born in Budapest in 1897, Szell grew up in Vienna. A prodigious pianist and composer as a child, he later held conducting posts in Germany and Czechoslovakia. His career in the USA, which became his home in 1939, was furthered by none other than Arturo Toscanini.

This 14-CD set, George Szell: The Warner Recordings, encompasses Szell's entire HMV legacy. Beside such iconic interpretations as Strauss's Vier letzte Lieder with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Brahms' concertos with David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich, and the complete Beethoven piano concertos with Emil Gilels, it includes several items making their first appearance on CD. Among these is an audio documentary, George Szell - A Memoir, which features rehearsals with Gilels and interviews with Szell and other distinguished figures.

George Szell - The Warner Recordings 1934-1970. Rostropovich/Schwarzkopf/Casals/Brendel/Fischer-Dieskau/Gilels/Oistrach. Wiener Philharmoniker/London Philhamronic Orchestra/Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Cleveland Orchestra. Beethoven/Brahms/Lalo/Mahler/Schuber/Dvorak/J. Strauss/R. Strauss. + audio document 'a memoir' with interview & rehearsals.