Legendary recordings 1919–1942.
Piano and Conductor
Conductor
Conductor
About Sergey Rachmaninov
Piano and Conductor
After study at the St Petersburg and Moscow Conservatories, Sergey Rachmaninov embarked on a career in Russia as a composer, pianist and conductor. Exile from his own country after the Communist Revolution of 1917 forced an increased concentration on performance as one of the most distinguished pianists of the day, activity that enabled him to support his family but left less time for his work as a composer. For practical reasons he eventually based himself in the United States, while keeping a villa in Switzerland. He died in Beverly Hills in 1943.
About the Philadelphia Orchestra
Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through over a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, bestselling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. The orchestra has maintained unity in artistic leadership with only seven music directors throughout its history: Fritz Scheel (1900–07), Carl Pohlig (1907–12), Leopold Stokowski (1912–41), Eugene Ormandy (1936–80), Riccardo Muti (1980–92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993–2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003–08). This rich tradition is carried on by Charles Dutoit, who was appointed chief conductor and artistic adviser of The Philadelphia Orchestra from the 2008–09 season through the 2011–12 season.
About Leopold Stokowski
Conductor
Trained originally in his native London under Walford Davies and Stanford, Leopold Stokowski made his debut as a conductor in Paris in 1908 and became principal conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1909. He first conducted the Philadelphia Symphony in 1912, continuing his association with the orchestra for many years. He held leading positions with a number of other major orchestras, and had a series of international guest engagements.
About Eugene Ormandy
Conductor
When Leopold Stokowski decided to reduce his commitment to the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy left the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1936 to become co-conductor with him of the Philadelphia; two years later he was appointed as sole chief conductor, remaining in this position until 1980 and touring often within the USA and abroad with the orchestra. In addition he accepted guest conducting engagements in Europe. After his retirement from the post of chief conductor in 1980 Ormandy was made the Philadelphia’s conductor laureate, a position which he held until his death, marking the hitherto longest unbroken association between a conductor and a major orchestra. His last concert was with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on 10 January 1984.
