George George Szell American conductor and composer of Hungarian origin Date of Birth: 07.06.1897 Country: USA

1. Biography of George Sell
2. Early Life and Education:
3. Early Career:
4. Career in Europe:
5. Move to the United States:
6. Career with the Cleveland Orchestra:
7. Legacy:

Biography of George Sell

George Sell was an American conductor and composer of Hungarian origin. He is best known for his extensive and highly productive work as the musical director of the Cleveland Orchestra and for his series of recordings of classical music compositions made in Cleveland and with several other orchestras.

Early Life and Education:

Sell was born in Budapest and grew up in Vienna. He initially trained to become a pianist under the guidance of Richard Robert. During this time, he became friends with another student of Robert, Rudolf Serkin, which laid the foundation for their successful collaboration. Sell also received instruction in composition from Eusebius Mandyczewski, a friend of Johannes Brahms. Although very few of Sell's early compositions have survived, he signed an exclusive ten-year contract with the Viennese "Universal Edition" at the age of 14.

Early Career:

At the age of 11, Sell began traveling throughout Europe as a pianist and composer and made his debut in London. The newspapers hailed him as the "new Mozart." However, Sell soon realized that he would not become a great composer or pianist and decided to focus his efforts on conducting. He unexpectedly made his debut as a conductor when he replaced an injured conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra during a vacation, and his performance was a great success. This led to his decision to pursue conducting professionally.

Career in Europe:

Sell worked with various European opera houses and orchestras, including Berlin, Strasbourg, Prague, Darmstadt, Düsseldorf, and Glasgow. In 1924, he became the principal conductor of the Berlin State Opera. He formed a close friendship with Richard Strauss, who greatly admired Sell's conducting skills and said that he would die happily if someone could perform his music as perfectly as Sell.

Move to the United States:

With the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939, Sell decided to settle in the United States. He initially supported himself through teaching and gradually gained recognition as a talented conductor. He received invitations from orchestras all over the country, but the most intriguing offer came from the NBC Symphony Orchestra, with whom he performed a series of concerts.

Sell made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1942 and frequently returned to perform there over the next four years. He also made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943 and became a U.S. citizen in 1946.

Career with the Cleveland Orchestra:

In 1946, Sell was invited to lead the Cleveland Orchestra, which was one of the most prominent orchestras in the country at that time. He saw this position as an opportunity to assemble his dream orchestra, combining the talents of the best American performers with the methods of European orchestras. Sell demanded perfection from his musicians during rehearsals and had a strict policy of dismissing those who did not meet his standards.

By the late 1950s, Sell's approach had paid off, and the Cleveland Orchestra became one of the greatest musical ensembles in the world.

Legacy:

Sell continued to make music until his death in 1970. His energy and passion were evident as he even drove himself to rehearsals without the assistance of a chauffeur. Sell left behind a lasting impact on the world of music through his exceptional conducting and his contributions to the Cleveland Orchestra's success. His dedication to excellence and his uncompromising standards continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.