Rhythmic precision, structural overview, razor-sharp orchestral control: George Szell is seen as one of the great “orchestral disciplinarians” of the twentieth century, as a superior musical director and an uncompromising perfectionist. In Lucerne he conducted, in 1962 and 1969, two works central in his repertoire, Brahms’ First and Dvořák’s Eighth Symphonies. These thrillingly energetic interpretations are full of suspense and show Szell at the height of his art.
