George Szell's Reign

Long an ardent admirer of classic music, especially the symphonic orchestras that render it, I was delighted to have an opportunity to read Marcia Hansen Kraus’s magnificent tribute to the Cleveland Orchestra and its legendary maestro, George Szell.  Surprisingly, because of a lack of information on my part, the Cleveland Orchestra was not on my list of great orchestras, possibly because of the lack of popular adulation.  Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and their conductors, seem to get all the headlines.  This book changed that.

Kraus, herself a musician and composer, was fortunate to have her husband as an oboist who performed under Szell, and was diligent enough to research the many aspects of his towering leadership.  We’re smarter now because of her.  In “George Szell Reigns” the author reveals the man’s influence from recreating a struggling city’s musical face, to managing a 100-member group of artists with often strident attitudes, to dealing with a wealthy and tight-fisted board of directors, to overseeing a massive construction project that created Cleveland Blossom, the orchestra’s summer home, to creatively interpreting and directing innovative ideas about famous musical works, and, finally, helping develop what is often considered to be the best orchestra in the world.

The wealth of characters displayed by the author and their involvement both with collaboration and steering Szell on his journey is amazing. Reading her stunning account will give the reader a look at a mystical world of artistic genius and temperament, and what it takes to live and create in its shadow.  One look at her endnotes will demonstrate her ardor and determination to getting the story right.  Just reading those are a delight.  Post reading reflection will fill you with the joy of fine music and the complexities of bringing it to light.

There are so many wonderful anecdotes in this account that one is tempted to fill the air with superlatives and praise.  Instead I’ll just say that to miss reading this book is to miss a showpiece and the opportunity to fill your mind with a wonderful vision of musical artistry.