Memoirs [Paperback]

Sir Georg Solti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

In these pages Sir Georg Solti relives an unparalleled musical life: his musical studies in Budapest with Dohnányi, Kodály, and Bartók; his exile in Zurich during World War II; his work as music director of the Bavarian State Opera in postwar Munich and similar posts in Frankfurt and London’s Covent Garden; his brilliant direction of the Chicago Symphony (1969–1991); and his freelance conducting of the world’s greatest orchestras. By turns touching and amusing, his recollections of such luminaries as Strauss, Stravinsky, Toscanini, Walter, Furtwängler, Klemperer, Nilsson, and Domingo fill this memoir with musical pleasure.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"I have had an enormously lucky life," confides Solti in the epilog of this immensely satisfying memoir. And we, the beneficiaries of his musical genius, have been even luckier. To fans of Sir George, this splendid volume of reminiscences will confirm his status as one of the preeminent conductors of this century. Solti's graciousness, warm-hearted generosity, and bonhomie shine forth from every page. The first six chapters are named after significant cities in the maestro's life; here, Solti's early years as an assistant in the opera houses of Hungary through his lengthy, triumphant tenure as conductor of the Chicago Symphony are lovingly recounted. Chapter 7, "The World," reflects the author's status as an international citizen. In the final chapter, "Music, First and Last," Solti comments at length on his favorite composers and their works with many anecdotal asides. Because Solti died a few months after completing these memoirs, his enthusiastic plans for future recording projects and programming will not be realized, making this autobiography his final accomplishment. Highly recommended for all music collections.?Larry A. Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, Pa.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

A behind-some-of-the-scenes look at the life and thoughts of one of the 20th century's greatest conductors. If memoirs are biography lite, then this one is successful indeed. A selective recollection of Sir Georg Solti's rise to musical fame, it's an entertaining if not particularly probing walk through this man's impressive musical life. Solti, who died last month at the age of 84, was born in Hungary but lived much of his life in Switzerland, where he relocated at the beginning of WW II. Solti describes his climb through the ranks, beginning his career as a r‚p‚titeur, or opera coach. Eventually, through hard work and determination, he became the conductor of the Royal Opera at Covent Garden in England and finally of the Chicago Symphony, which he directed for 22 years and where he arguably set a musical standard for professional orchestras that still stands today. The book includes some introspection, such as Solti's admission that early in his career he neglected to really listen to a group before trying to stamp his own personality on it. The book is best when Solti describes his musical philosophies and what it means to be a conductor. Conductors, he writes, ``should always remember our role as interpreters; we are there to serve with the best of our technical abilities the wishes of the composers, who are the creators. The thrill comes when we as interpreters become partners with the composers at the moment the scores comes to life in a performance.'' Conductors and musicians will find Solti's discussion of Beethoven's various symphonies especially illuminating. Unfortunately, these pithy parts are too infrequent, leaving a reader at book's end still wondering exactly what makes Solti tick. An adequate rendering by a man renowned in the musical world for his excellence. (16 pages photos, not seen) (First printing of 50,000) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556523378
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523373
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and revealing to classical music lovers., January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Memoirs (Hardcover)

This book is somewhat self-serving to the late Sir Georg, but it also brings a touching amount of humanity to one of the brightest recent stars of the classical music universe. These "intimate" memoirs are specially interesting given the high status awarded to great conductors and the have general perception that they are autocratic geniuses. Georg Solti does not display false modesty here, yet he does reveal sufficient elements of his ordinary life for us to understand how he developed his extraordinary artistic talent, and how he was eventually able to craft such a wonderful career by working on what he loved most: music.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New hardcover editions are available, December 10, 2004

By 

R. Rapp "Bob" (Lynnwood, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs (Paperback)

Wonderful book! You can buy new, hardcover editions from the Chicago Symphony's gift store. Check them out on-line at www.cso.org