Solti: Journey of a Lifetime

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Sir Georg Solti (1912 - 1997) was one of the 20th century's most brilliant conductors and a leading figure of musical culture world-wide. Very few conductors of world renown may look back on a life packed with achievement but Sir Georg Solti. Born and raised in Hungary - György studied piano, composition and conducting with Bartók, Dohnányi, Kodály and Leo Weiner at Budapest's Liszt Academy - the young Solti spends his formative years as a conductor in German-speaking countries. In 1937, Toscanini selected him as his assistant at the Salzburg Festival. Before the outbreak of World War II, Sir Georg went to Switzerland as a refugee. Following the war 1946, he was invited by the American military government to conduct a performance of Beethoven's Fidelio in Munich. Soon he became General Music Director in Munich and Frankfurt. Later being a mature and experienced maestro, he appeared as well in Vienna, Bayreuth and Berlin. In 1961, he became Musical Director of Covent Garden for a ten-year tenure. But it was in Chicago that musical history was made. Solti's "Chicago sound" become a synonym for excellence. The big, decisive, exciting style was instantly recognizable. Over the next 22 years (from 1969 to 1991), together with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he conducted a total of 999 performances, made more than 50 recordings, received 32 Grammy Awards, made countless triumphant tours, and all the world took notice.