George Szell & Cleveland Orchestra – Schubert: Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished” & No. 9 “The Great” by George Szell (2023 Remastered) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:10:16 minutes | 1,25 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording
Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 (sometimes renumbered as Symphony No. 7, in accordance with the revised Deutsch catalogue and the Neue Schubert-Ausgabe), commonly known as the Unfinished Symphony (German: Unvollendete), is a musical composition that Schubert started in 1822 but left with only two movements—though he lived for another six years. A scherzo, nearly completed in piano score but with only two pages orchestrated, also survives.
Read moreGeorge Szell & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 by George Szell (1964/2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 41:46 minutes | 760 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording
The Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43, is a four-movement work for orchestra written from 1901 to 1902 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. He began writing the symphony in winter 1901 in Rapallo, Italy, shortly after the successful premiere of the popular Finlandia. Sibelius said, “My second symphony is a confession of the soul.”
Read moreDavid Oistrakh, Mstislav Rospropovich, The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell – – Brahms: Violin Concerto & Double Concerto (1970) [Japan 2011]
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 74:15 minutes | Some Scans included | 2,08 GB
or DSD64 2.0 (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | Some Scans included | 1,89 GB
or FLAC (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Some Scans included | 1,6 GB
Warner Music Japan # WPGS-50107 – Features the latest EMI Remastering (2011)
This is one of two recordings of the Double Concerto that Mstislav Rostropovich performed. That the cello’s repertoire has been so wonderfully enriched during the 20th century is due largely to Mstislav Rostropovich, the most influential cellist of his time, a champion of liberty, and also a noted conductor and pianist. Rostropovich was closely associated with EMI Classics (now Warner Classics) for more than 50 years, having made 100 recordings with the company between 1954 and his death in 2007, just a month after celebrations for his 80th birthday at the Kremlin.
Read moreGeorge Szell – Schubert: Rosamunde, D. 797, Incidental Music by George Szell (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 32:43 minutes | 571 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording
George Szell (* June 7, 1897 in Budapest, Austria-Hungary; † July 30, 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio) was an Austro-Hungarian conductor, pianist and composer. He had American citizenship. From 1946 until his death, he conducted the Cleveland Orchestra. With the exception of Eugene Ormandy, no conductor in the 20th century led one of the American Big Five orchestras for longer than George Szell. The conductors Szell, Ormandy, Solti, Doráti and Reiner, who all came from Budapest, brought the American orchestras from the middle of the 20th century. At the beginning of the twentieth century, to a level equal to that of the European orchestras.
Read moreGeorge Szell – Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by George Szell (2023 Remastered, Amsterdam 1957) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 26:42 minutes | 464 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording
George Szell, originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. Considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors, he was music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and recorded a standard classical repertoire in Cleveland, and with other orchestras.
Through his recordings, Szell has remained a presence in the classical music world long after his death, and his name remains synonymous with that of the Cleveland Orchestra. While on tour with the Orchestra in the late 1980s, then-Music Director Christoph von Dohnányi remarked, “We give a great concert, and George Szell gets a great review.”
Read moreGeorge Szell – Ludwig van Beethoven conducted by George Szell live (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:31:17 minutes | 940 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel
Immerse yourself in the timeless brilliance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s music with this captivating album: a remarkable live performance led by the legendary conductor George Szell, accompanied by the virtuoso pianist Rudolf Firkušný and the prestigious Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Released by Gebhart, the album captures the essence of Beethoven’s compositions, infusing them with passion and precision. The symphonic grandeur and expressive nuances come alive under Szell’s masterful direction, while Firkušný’s piano prowess adds depth and beauty to the performances. This album is a testament to the enduring power of Beethoven’s music, brought to life by exceptional musicians in a live setting that resonates with energy and emotion.
Read moreGeorge Szell – Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 (2018 Remastered Version) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:33:02 minutes | 4,44 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical
George Szell (/ˈsɛl/; June 7, 1897 – July 30, 1970), originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors. He is remembered today for his long and successful tenure as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and for the recordings of the standard classical repertoire he made in Cleveland and with other orchestras.
Szell came to Cleveland in 1946 to take over a respected if undersized orchestra, which was struggling to recover from the disruptions of World War II. By the time of his death he was credited, to quote the critic Donal Henahan, with having built it into “what many critics regarded as the world’s keenest symphonic instrument.”
Through his recordings, Szell has remained a presence in the classical music world long after his death, and his name remains synonymous with that of the Cleveland Orchestra. While on tour with the Orchestra in the late 1980s, then-Music Director Christoph von Dohnányi remarked, “We give a great concert, and George Szell gets a great review.”
Read moreGeorge Szell – Beethoven etc. George Szell and Clifford Curzon live in Cologne 1961 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:29:59 minutes | 1,02 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel
George Szell (/ˈsɛl/; June 7, 1897 – July 30, 1970), originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors. He is remembered today for his long and successful tenure as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and for the recordings of the standard classical repertoire he made in Cleveland and with other orchestras.
Szell came to Cleveland in 1946 to take over a respected if undersized orchestra, which was struggling to recover from the disruptions of World War II. By the time of his death he was credited, to quote the critic Donal Henahan, with having built it into “what many critics regarded as the world’s keenest symphonic instrument.”
Through his recordings, Szell has remained a presence in the classical music world long after his death, and his name remains synonymous with that of the Cleveland Orchestra. While on tour with the Orchestra in the late 1980s, then-Music Director Christoph von Dohnányi remarked, “We give a great concert, and George Szell gets a great review.”
Read moreGeorge Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra – Mahler: Symphony No. 6 “Tragic” (Remastered) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:13:40 minutes | 2,98 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical
George Szell (/ˈsɛl/; June 7, 1897 – July 30, 1970), originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors. He is remembered today for his long and successful tenure as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and for the recordings of the standard classical repertoire he made in Cleveland and with other orchestras.
Szell came to Cleveland in 1946 to take over a respected if undersized orchestra, which was struggling to recover from the disruptions of World War II. By the time of his death he was credited, to quote the critic Donal Henahan, with having built it into “what many critics regarded as the world’s keenest symphonic instrument.”
Through his recordings, Szell has remained a presence in the classical music world long after his death, and his name remains synonymous with that of the Cleveland Orchestra. While on tour with the Orchestra in the late 1980s, then-Music Director Christoph von Dohnányi remarked, “We give a great concert, and George Szell gets a great review.”
Read moreGeorge Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra – Schumann: Symphonies 2 & 4: Weber: Oberon Overture (2001)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 61:28 minutes | 2,88 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88.2 kHz | 1,48 GB
Japan Import | Year: 1960, 2001 | Full Scans | 3% Recovery Info
… the recording sounds as though it had been made just last week. George Szell and the Clevelanders render Schumann in the grand manner of the middle of the last century, before the horrendous politically correct, period instruments craze hit the classical world. To anyone who’s heard any of the more “authentic” recordings of the last couple of decades, this may sound somewhat bombastic, but that’s what makes this music so wonderful.!
Read moreGeorge Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra – Schumann: Symphonies 1, 3 & Manfred Overture (2001)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 63:40 minutes | 2,99 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88.2 kHz | 1,55 GB
Japan Import | Year: 1960, 2001 | Full Scans | 3% Recovery Info
These performances remain as great as ever, and the remastering is a source of wonder; if you don’t own these recordings, here’s a rare chance to correct the oversight. Take advantage of it while you can.
Magical and stunning music! You don’t have to spend a fortune going back to vinyl, these SACD versions of 50 year-old analog recordings contain all that warmth and transparency you’re looking for. It’s not about digital vs analog, it’s about superb reproduction qualities with no gimmicks or artificial studio effects.
Szell’s Schumann is a MUST for any serious listener of nineteenth-century music. These discs are not merely an essential addition to a collection: this is the only account of the Schumann symphonies you should have. So why Schumann? And why Szell?
Read moreGeorge Szell – Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Erika Morini and George Szell live (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:08:12 minutes | 671 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel
George Szell (/ˈsɛl/; June 7, 1897 – July 30, 1970), originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors. He is remembered today for his long and successful tenure as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and for the recordings of the standard classical repertoire he made in Cleveland and with other orchestras.
Szell came to Cleveland in 1946 to take over a respected if undersized orchestra, which was struggling to recover from the disruptions of World War II. By the time of his death he was credited, to quote the critic Donal Henahan, with having built it into “what many critics regarded as the world’s keenest symphonic instrument.
Read moreGeorge Szell – Stravinsky, Mozart & Schubert: Orchestral Works (Remastered 2023) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:27:44 minutes | 952 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel
George Szell (/ˈsɛl/; June 7, 1897 – July 30, 1970), originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors. He is remembered today for his long and successful tenure as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra of Cleveland, Ohio, and for the recordings of the standard classical repertoire he made in Cleveland and with other orchestras.
Szell came to Cleveland in 1946 to take over a respected if undersized orchestra, which was struggling to recover from the disruptions of World War II. By the time of his death he was credited, to quote the critic Donal Henahan, with having built it into “what many critics regarded as the world’s keenest symphonic instrument
Read moreRobert Casadesus, George Szell – Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 26 & 27 (Remastered) (1963/2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 59:33 minutes | 576 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical
Robert Casadesus plays Mozart: What Bach means for Glenn Gould, Mozart means for the French pianist Robert Casadesus. His Mozart shots continue to set standards.
Casadesus’ interpretations do not intrude on the listener, rather he lets Mozart’s fantastic music speak for themselves. Especially in the slow movements, his tasteful play with subtle dynamics and nuanced color design.
Read moreCleveland Orchestra, George Szell – R. Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53 (Remastered) (1964/2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 41:29 minutes | 1,70 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical
Part of the wave of great Hungarian conductors who took over American musical life just before and after World War II (the others included Fritz Reiner, Antal Dorati, and Eugene Ormandy), George Szell quickly transformed a middling Midwestern orchestra into one of the nation’s Big Five. His cultivation of the Cleveland Orchestra set an example of discipline and hard work that gradually helped raise the standards of orchestras across America.
Read more