George Szell
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra | Swiss Festival Orchestra
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
(Recordings: Lucerne, 1969 & 1962)
Rhythmic incisiveness, a guiding structural vision, razor-sharp ensemble discipline: George Szell ranks among the great “orchestral taskmasters” of the 20th century, a superior podium figure and uncompromising perfectionist. In 1962 and 1969 he came to Lucerne to conduct Brahms’s First and Dvorák’s Eighth Symphonies – both gems of his repertoire. These suspense-packed, rousing, vital interpretations show Szell at the height of his artistry.
Ever since 1938, when Arturo Toscanini led a legendary gala concert in the gardens facing Richard Wagner's villa in Tribschen, LUCERNE FESTIVAL has been the place for unforgettable musical experiences, year after year. The new CD series LUCERNE FESTIVAL Historic Performances presents outstanding live concert recordings by artists who have left their mark on the Festival. The original tapes have been meticulously remastered, and each release is supplemented with additional material and photos from the LUCERNE FESTIVAL archive – a history of the Festival in sound.