George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra (vaimusic.com)

Interesting to see how "the human metronome" achieved his effects.

What a conductor he was

..wait a minute...Szell was born a Jew, but converted to Catholic ...so says his biorgraphies and his musicians during the last 40 years......

my favorite conductor!!! so much passion and love for the music, he poures his energy into the music instead of egotripping
and his teaming up with Leon Fleisher on Brahms 1st - unparalleled!!!

WHat a wonderful film and such terrific tone quality.
The orchestra never played better, but it took a toll.
Among the prominent evacuees:
Mark Lifschey-- 1st Oboe
Myron Bloom--1st French Horn
Joseph Gingold--Concertmaster
Perhaps better to listen to than be involved......

I believe that Myron Bloom was still there under Lorin Maazel. It was under Maazel that Rick Sollis took over, I believe.

Any ideas on why the Nazi war criminal in the movie The Marathon Man was named George Szell? We know that Karajan signed up twice for the Nazi party, and Strauss stayed and even composed a piece for Hitler. But Szell? Is it just a coincidence or did someone have it in for him? I grew up in Cleveland while he was there. His Beethoven symphonies are the best, period.

interesting observation about marathon man and Szell-the conductor was Jewish so definitely there`s no reality in this.
He clearly had his fair share of enemies though!
You mention Karajan signed up x2 for the Nazi party for opportunistic reasons.This is true,though he wasn`t anti semeitic as far as i can tell.

Yes, Karajan cared about marketing and his artistic ideals were certainly different from Szell's. But have you ever seen him rehearsing (especially Schumann 4?). The same uncompromising passion and dedication for any detail in the score.