Eugene Ormandy (November 18, 1899 – March 12, 1985) was a Hungarian-American conductor, best known for his 44-year tenure as music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Born in Budapest, he was a child prodigy violinist and studied at the Franz Liszt Academy. After moving to the United States in 1921, he rose from orchestral violinist to become one of the most celebrated conductors of the 20th century. Ormandy cultivated the 'Philadelphia Sound,' characterized by warm strings and lush textures, and recorded over 400 albums. He also led the orchestra on historic tours, including a landmark 1973 visit to China. His legacy endures as a master of orchestral color and a popularizer of classical music.
Related Quotes
“It's all very well to have principles, but when it comes to money you have to be flexible.”
“I never say what I mean, but I always manage to say something similar.”
“If you don't have it in your part, leave it out, because there is enough missing already.”
“I told him he'd have a heart attack a year ago, but unfortunately he lived a year longer.”
“Think of your girlfriend or boyfriend or whomever you want to.”
“Why do you always insist on playing while I'm trying to conduct?”
“It is not as difficult as I thought it was, but it is harder than it is.”
“The notes are right, but if I listened they would be wrong.”
“I wrote it the right way, so it was copied the wrong way right. I mean the right way wrong.”
“After two minutes after this time, and I am already there.”
“It has no rhythm, but it will because it's so much faster.”
“It's so legato it's difficult to splice. Sibelius was famous for that.”
“I can see none of you are smugglers; that's why it's so loud.”
“We have to play it longer because there are no numbers or letters.”