Sir Georg Solti (1912 - 1997) | Great Conductors In Rehearsal

Rehearsing and conducting the Overture to Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner with the Süddeutsche Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra
Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
0:00 1st Rehearsal
30:31 2nd Rehearsal
43:36 Performance
This video recording provides us with a portrait of a man whose conducting technique contrasts fascinatingly with that of other conductors in the series. Sir Georg Solti's rehearsal and performance of Wagner's Tannhäuser Overture with the Süddeutsche Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra is a fine illustration of this conductor's insistence on absolute precision, his energetic style and his close familiarity with the score.
Watch also the other episodes of this series: • Sir Georg Solti (1912 ...
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[@maestroclassico5801]

Fluent in German, Hungarian, and English. Charismatic. An amazing pianist even late into his career.. Always bringing powerful sounds from the Orchestra.

[@thechoco777]

Fantastic. He looks like an engineer fine tuning the engine of a Rolls-Royce. Superb...

[@HansDunkelberg1]

I'm beginning to understand how decisive it is for a conductor that he can sing.

[@matthewv789]

Quite amazing how he talks while they’re playing (very efficient), and gives his verbal exhortations just BEFORE they get to that bit so they know right beforehand how he wants it.

[@anonymusum]

Talking while rehearsing is normal, as you don´t want to interrupt the whole thing permanently. You only interrupt if there´s a real serious mistake or wrong interpretation or the whole orchestra is involved in that particular part that you want to correct or improve. In general rehearsal time is precious time and you gotta be very productive.

[@tyech220]

@@anonymusum ឹឹឪសសឹឹសឹឹឹឪឹឪឹឹឹឹឆឆឹឹឹឆឆឆឆាាាាាាាាាាសាាាសាសសាាសសសសសសសសសសាាាាាាាាាាាាាាាាាាសសសសសសសឹសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសឹសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសសឆឆឆឆឆឆ១១ា

[@gilbertdaroy6080]

He was so feared for his attention to the minutest detail. The bowing technique, the amount of vibrato, the millisecond breath of rest, etc. But he wasn't stingy in his praise, as you could well observe.

[@markbrodie2784]

Just incredible how these great Maestros can control all these incredible musicians and know precisely what he wants to hear and how the piece should be laid. Pure Genius!

[@amielschotz4982]

Magnificent.This is what conducting is about, not just waving your arms. He knows every bar, hears every instrument, leads the players towards his total vision.

[@katrinat.3032]

I'm so glad there's another person who understands how brilliant and talented you must be to be a good conductor

[@aldenbrennan6469]

I know im asking randomly but does anybody know of a method to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost my login password. I would love any assistance you can offer me

[@francobrecken4304]

@Alden Brennan Instablaster :)

[@aldenbrennan6469]

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[@aldenbrennan6469]

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[@richardwilliams473]

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra were very fortunate to have this brilliant conductor for many years.

[@allenjones3130]

One of my favorite operatic recordings is Berlioz's "The Damnation of Faust" conducted by Solti with the CSO for Decca.

[@bruceweaver1518]

Yes! We were! He was a genius in music and conducting!

[@johnvag8180]

Solti lives every bar, every sound! It is unbelievably beautiful as he can transit his feelings to the orchestra!

[@papagen00]

I met Solti after a San Francisco Symphony concert in 1997 (where Van Cliburn played Tchaikovsky's First Concerto). On the podium he was the same energetic, powerful figure familiar to all, but after the concert in his dressing room he looked very tired and frail. He died a few months later. RIP.

[@adesorcuppy4225]

Thats what a great conductor can do to an orchestra (and later to the ears of the audience) Sir Georg was great!

[@Classical741]

I wish younger, upcoming conductors had the insight and ability to communicate it clearly to the orchestra what they desire. Maybe I am wrong, but conductors like Currentzis or Makella, just don't seem to "get" this music.

[@groupcaptainlionelmandrake6931]

As an insight into the work itself it is simply priceless. Nothing escapes Solti's mastery. Thank you very much for taking the trouble to bring it to us.

[@nboehm8410]

Had the great pleasure of playing extra horn and wagner tuba with Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Most memorable was Bruckner 7 at Royal Albert Hall.

[@anthonyalessandrini3240]

N Boehm ‘

[@andreaguarino8207]

Really? Was he a kind man?

[@mihaelasilviarosca8900]

i envy you for that!

[@SPrescott2611]

Bruckner 7 is one of my favourites. The Scherzo is such good writing!

[@schwei56]

The greatest conductors were the accomplished pianists/accompanists-they felt every expressive gesture in the body. But such demanding music... Pause!!!

[@gabriel1chan]

So much can be learned just by viewing this. This piece of music now has so much depth to me. Almost everything from Solti is never boring.

[@Cuteo05]

Boyer Barner Completely!

[@katrinat.3032]

I agree completely

[@routemaster19]

What a fabulous record of a wonderful conductor sharing his vision and technique in getting an orchestra to perform exactly the way he wants them to. It is this what distinguishes one performance from another - and makes a Solti performance so distinct from his contempories who of course have their own styles. It is subjective, some don't enjoy this interpretation over another but that is why we continually have new recordings and ways of presenting the music. For those that think the talking is annoying or somehow dis-respectful of the orchestra - how wrong you are! This is what a rehearsal is about - not to just play the notes but extract the essence of emotion and techniques the conductor wants to project that emotion. A different conductor may want a more languid approach, Solti was always precise and clipped unless the score explicitly said otherwise. It's a masterclass - even for the veterans of the orchestra - and for many it's great to have a conductor who truly inhabits the music instead of just perfunctorily marking time for everyone. Solti was a renouned Wagnerian and you can see why with this recording. The only one of his contempories I would put on the same level was Karl Bohm.

[@colleencupido5125]

Routemaster: Correct in every way. A conductor who is so-called "respectful" to the orchestra- If that conductor can't communicate to them something that the orchestra doesn't already know and regularly performs- then that conductor should quit his job and go find honest work.

[@markbrodie2784]

How these legendary Conductors know every note and every instrument better than the artist musicians (all prodigies) themselves is amazing!

[@MrThrond]

This is by far the most interesting video I've seen for a long long time. I'm in awe.

[@ddsoco1]

Thrond I know, right? Amazing. If you haven’t already, check out the videos of Karajan rehearsing Schumann.

[@katrinat.3032]

Even though I don't understand the language (German), I understand him. This is very interesting

[@MichaelConwayBaker]

A great conductor is also a great teacher. Fantastic.

[@gianpaolozeri3018]

P

[@MassimoIncarbone]

Absolutely right.

[@user-fc1od2tw2i]

One word: extraordinary.

[@misi1979]

I don't know if nowadays conductors can work like this...I know a conductor who told Me that rehearsals are expensive so not much time are left for working in detalis like here.I love Solit's way to work and communicate with the orchestra members: precise and with respect and gratitude for every time they play like He demand it. I learn a lot watching this..Thank You for posting this!:)

[@danielrezende2103]

Rehearsals have always been expensive...that why Solti speaks while musicians are playing

[@nicolebarbierevans4320]

En tant que comédienne j'ai regardé et écouté les indications de Georg Solti avec un intérêt incroyable . Passionnée tout au.long de la répétition. Magistrale démonstration rapport avec les musiciens évident et clair dans ses objectifs. Vidéo de grande qualité. Merci.

[@zauber620]

As a conductor, I can tell you that we actually can work like this. The problem is, there is no time. This video is from an era when rehearsals had no 'end' time. Today, everything is measured to the tip. We have to pick and choose what we want to do. It's frustrating and heartbreaking.

[@violinistoftaupo]

Very impressed. I love the way Solti talks to the musicians while they are playing. It's so annoying when conductors stop the orchestra to give instructions.

[@katrinat.3032]

Yes Riccardo Muti seems like that. Like he thinks he needs to correct everyone. Solti seems like he'd be great to work with

[@violinistoftaupo]

@Kanishk Nishar yes, that's how I knew about how orchestral musicians think

[@violinistoftaupo]

I've heard he ciuld be very difficult to work with but you don't see that in this video.

[@shawnhampton8503]

Like all great conductors: it can ALWAYS be better, super detailed, knows the music inside out. Utterly amazing. I had tickets to see him conduct the Dallas Symphony (he was music director there briefly in the early 60's and this was his first time back). The orchestra had really grown up and has a magnificent concert hall - one of the best anywhere - the Meyerson. I was so looking forward to it. But sadly Solti went to his Great Performance and did not come. I always heard that rehearsals were a beast with him, super hard work, but that he was completely joyful and up beat for the performance.

[@teresamogollon9242]

GRAANDIOOOSOO!!!Qué video!!!Y qué magia tenía Solti en el.alma,en las manos,en el rostro,en el cerebro!!!

[@nigelft]

My God ... I honestly never knew just how tough he could be in the rehearsal room; but then come performance time, he could almost relax, as he knew the orchestra would come through with the _exact_ sound he was after ...

[@guarrho]

the violinist Victor Aitay said, "Usually conductors are relaxed at rehearsals and tense at the concerts. Solti is the reverse. He is very tense at rehearsals, which makes us concentrate, but relaxed during the performance, which is a great asset to the orchestra."

[@nigelft]

@@guarrho Hence why he was such a great conductor; perhaps equal to Richter, and even better than von Karajan ...

[@phillipbaritone3843]

A legend through and through

[@darivan666]

Era un director completo Dinámico, con gran motivación, detallista y carismático para guiar una orquesta. Era todo un artista en la extensión de la palabra.

[@AndresFigari]

What a gem of a video

[@Szpzer]

My favorite Wagner-conductor. His vision on Wagners operas is unsurpassed.

[@peterwolf5718]

I would rate Barenboim his equal or better. Listen to the CSO under Barenboim do the Wagner overtures and preludes. Also his Tannhauser with the Berlin Stattskappel.

[@silvioivanbendanamora1682]

The Solti´s energy and brilliance that puts in his way of conducting, is ongly far to Arturo Toscanini.@@peterwolf5718

[@Szpzer]

I totally agree. Solti's Ring Des Nibelungen is my all time favorite. Magnificent!

[@donna25871]

Solti is pure Hungarian - he shows what he wants by singing it.

[@SarumChoirmaster]

People have little to none in knowing just what goes on in rehearsals and in the coming together of such music and ensembles like this. Its far far more complex than what anyone realizes.

[@phillipecook3227]

He's a Hungarian rehearsing a German orchestra in their own back yard in standard repetoire which they know blindfold yet the level of rehearsal detail he goes into is remarkable. I also never fail to be impressed by the number of top line symphony orchestras in Germany. To my shame I'd never even heard of the " South German Radio Symphony Orchestra" before yet the fact they could attract someone of of Solti's calibre to guest conduct speaks volumes.

[@derhakkofax]

This Orchestra has been renamed several times, today it's called the "SWR Symphonieorchester" with Teodor Currentzis as it's chief conductor :)

[@anonymusum]

Phillipe Coock Every big TV/radio-station in Germany has it´s own symphony orchestra and as they are paying good money those orchestras are one of the favored aims of real good musicians. And by contrast to the opera house orchestras they have less rehearsals and concerts, what means more free time which some use for relaxing and others to teach students and make even more money. All in all those jobs are pretty privileged.

[@peterwolf5718]

That orchestra is one of Germanys best. And yes, no country has as many top orchestras. The U.S. is second. We've lots of good ones here. It's just that few people listen to them.

[@user-zs7eb5uc9r]

His Wagner is something special to me. Miss him so much.

[@massimoincarbone8093]

Pure gold and immense musician. To be seen in every conducting class in the world.

[@pvmuskosming]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🖖👽👍🛸🌎🇲🇽🎵👀🎵🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 *THANKS A LOT!!!!!!*

[@Hermes1548]

Beauty is hard work. In animals, a sign of good genes.

[@galleryelysium5534]

Bought tears to my eyes. Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Than you God for gifting the world people who make music like this!

[@scfiscal9968]

Estoy aquí para conocer al ganador de tanto Grammy... y ya veo porque, muy bien merecidos. Georg Solti, gracias por tanto.

[@valus217]

Solti, the greatest

[@Euroarts]

Don't miss this playlist, compiling memorable concerts by Sir Georg Solti: bit.ly/wMUSIC-SirGeorgSolti :)

[@barisozer4317]

Amazing! First Horn is Hermann Baumann

[@resitupfer7950]

The conductor is the only one in the orchestra who can perceive the piece of music in its entirety. The orchestra musician has no chance in that. The conductor plays the instrument orchestra. He is thus the first overall musician in the orchestra and plays the keyboard of all musical instruments. It could be like this. Resi from Austria.

[@as00315561]

What an incredible combination of music and setting

[@susannevollmer2347]

Solti vereint Kraft, Dynamik und Eleganz. Das gelingt nicht vielen! Ein vollkommen klarer und verständlicher Dirigent in den Proben. Eindeutige Ansage plus Gestik. Ein Glück mit ihm arbeiten zu können für viele Orchester. Im Vergleich mit manch Anderen, die eine tolle show aufführen oder sich mit einem mythischen Geheimnis umgeben und das Orchester rumrätseln lassen, hervorragend. Wo ist der complette "Ring" mit Solti???

[@mauromedina1821]

Masterclass!

[@renaudpontier]

Remarquable ce travail d'orfèvre, tout en respectant les musiciens. Un très grand chef.

[@pebeerre58]

simplemente FANTASTICO, hay que gritar BRAVO!!

[@GMahlerVerehrer]

Hermann Baumann am Horn, großartig!

[@WalterSAllen]

Indeed, always amazing!

[@MarkASaxer]

Herrmann Baumann IST superb!!!

[@johnshellythomas7695]

In der Tat!

[@klassikpunk_]

Faszinierend zu sehen wie Solti strikt klare Anweisungen gibt, zu verstehen gib wer hier das Kommando hat, und was er möchte, jedoch immer höflich und respektvoll bleibt. Diese Mischung ist unter anderem die wahre Gabe eines großen Dirigenten.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

Nach allem was ich so über ihn gelesen habe wurde er im späteren Leben schwieriger. Je mehr er seiner Machtposition bewusst wurde, desto mehr Bestand er auf seinen Ansichten, koste es was es wolle. Und da war er dann auch nicht mehr angenehm.

[@Apfelstrudl]

Ich mag seinen Wagner Stil sehr.. Aber beim Proben redet er oft schon rein und erklärt bevor irgendwas passiert ist bzw. er gehört hat was sie überhaupt spielen 😄

[@skiiizo]

Wonderful ! Thank you for the video

[@victorcruz6677]

This is amazing

[@carmelogaa521]

Thank you EuroArtsChannel!

[@garymedeiros2779]

Wow, this is amazing in every way 🤩

[@alejandrobenitezbarrera4686]

Muchas gracias por los subtítulos en español :)

[@tommot7755]

he is amazing!

[@ElzaRitterPianoStudio]

Wonderful!

[@MrStewbee]

So Inspiring...Sensational!

[@capezyo]

Extremely perfectionist...

[@terrancestanton8129]

Magnificent!

[@nsbd90now]

I heard and saw him conduct the Chicago Symphony a few times when I was a kid. This was absolutely fascinating to see. Thanks! And exciting as all get-out starting around 35 minutes.

[@jesussendra6540]

Este ensayo magistral y revelador del arte wagneriano de Georg Solti es un preludio perfecto para volver a escuchar su legendario registro del Tannhäuser con la Filarmónica de Viena, sin lugar a dudas el mejor que existe en grabación de estudio.

[@smithpm81]

the best conductor ever

[@haydenwayne3710]

Sir Grorg was my favorite!

[@gencosmansahin]

Just fascinating

[@AfroPoli]

Never liked him (his music making) much. But here, his presence, energy and passion are intoxicating. Not to mention the way he communicates with his forces. Great!

[@katrinat.3032]

Please go on KZbin and search for Beethoven's 7th Symphony conducted by George Solti, it's fantastic!!!

[@yong-gilchoi8614]

Great Great Great Maestro!!!! I miss you !!!

[@mickjenner6697]

I don't speak German yet it seems I'm comprehending what he's asking and saying , what a amazing man

[@Teladian2]

The transformation from beggining timidity to the sound at about 39 minutes is amazing. The orchestra almost doesnt sound the same.... I see Fuhrtwangler in his conducting. I also like how he jokes with the orchestra. He also praises them even when hes habing to correct things.

[@halross3447]

I agree. The “transformation” you refer to is happening because the orchestra is truly recreating the score. This occurs under the leadership of the great conductors, like Solti, and Fuhrtwangler. Both conductors had their own unique style of stick technique. They always knew the score, and demanded precision from the orchestra. I find it interesting that Sir Georg podium style between the rehearsals, and the performance, doesn’t vary much. A bit more fervor in the performance, to convey what he wants, probably because he can’t do so verbally. Truly, one of the finest conductors, ever.

[@Teladian2]

@@halross3447 yes, as an orchestral musician with a degree in music you dont need to tell me what the transformation is. What I am commenting on is how much Solti brings them from one level to another fom first rehearsal to performance. Technically in the first rehearsal they are "recreating the score" as well. Solti qas a master, but he was alao a tyrant on the podium, much like George Szell and Arturro Toscanini, and Furhtwangler were.

[@georgehahn2979]

Solti made the Chicago Symphony the greatest in the world 1970 to 1990.

[@lucassanches-g3c]

Maravilhoso ensaio.

[@alinepages6520]

Fabuleux Solti!!!

[@Intaberna986]

How different from Karajan. What the latter achieves with charisma and charm, Georg Solti achieves with this ardent and intense enthusiasm. Yet both in their own way completely dominate the orchestra while conveying their vision.

[@maestroclassico5801]

Yes! Very different styles of rehearsing/conducting....and yet achieve amazing sounds with many Orchestras.

[@danielabisenius9858]

The IRREPLACEABLE, Sir George Solti.😪

[@gregoryaustin1437]

Ooo that violin part at 40:33 is just murder to play accurately and together.

[@albastros8829]

Maraviloso. Para ver infinitas veces

[@alexeyizmirliev64]

Sir Georg !!!!!

[@iranildodesouza4512]

Excelente condução do maestro Georg Solti.

[@fritzullrich]

He was just great

[@joeowens6180]

This film truly does document the incredible and exacting knowledge Solti has of the score's every detail, and illuminates how he is almost desperate to achieve the inspiration of his inner ear. As he says when referring to the score: "He (the composer) has written it all down here!" Such microscopic detail is precisely why Solti's performances are always riveting, thrilling, and powerful.

[@katrinat.3032]

Before I watched this video I watched Solti conduct Beethoven's symphony 7, it's such a fantastic performance !! It's on KZbin. I believe it's with Vienna. I suggest you watch/listen to it 😁

[@colleencupido5125]

Joe Owens. Thank you. The way you described it is poetry

[@joeowens6180]

@@colleencupido5125 Thanks for your kind words, Colleen!

[@peterwolf5718]

Wow. Simply wow.

[@hornprof46]

It looks like the principal horn is Hermann Baumann who went on to have a very successful career as a horn soloist.

[@reginaldolamonato7193]

Muito bom bastante exigente e pode se notar que naquela época não tinha músicos jovens gostei

[@algirdasmulvinskas8613]

Yes, Georg's magic...

[@sesqui1rosso]

Magnifico.

[@thomastereszkiewicz2241]

being a symphony orchestra player seems like a very difficult thing for sure!

[@thechoco777]

Quelle classe!

[@pega17pl]

Like Celibidache said: "There are millions of NO but only ONE yes."

[@dvig1]

fantastic, only wish our current conductors could do even 10% of Georg's magic

[@user-bg6sm6nk9s]

d? The new study

[@paullewis2413]

@Steven Moore. Yes I agree if you look beyond the over-hyped there is some real talent today but Solti had a dynamic approach which ensured his music making was never dull or routine and often unbelievably thrilling.

[@BudFieldsPPTS]

Some of us can. :) But we don't strive for 10%.... :)

[@TahseenNakavi]

I sincerely doubt accomplishment of even that percentage

[@alan1963]

Solti later conducted the same work with Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1974, using the conductor's score.

[@jduff59]

and that fantastic AH-led brass section!

[@1060victoria]

Fabuleux!!! , un orfèvre qui forme un pierre précieuse, et quel résultat !!!

[@lionelalberts2650]

"Uncle" Georg we miss you.

[@jduff59]

Mein Gott Solti was such a genius and a very pleasant man. What I'd give to have worked with a genius like him. I used to think I had a bit of a decent ear, but he's one a level I'll never attain, but at least I get to listen to his genius thanks to recordings, and especially a gold nugget like this video. This is a great channel to subscribe to and support - where else can you find a rehearsal of Solti?

[@obiwan88]

Wow, maestro Hermann Baumann on the first horn.

[@_richardleon]

gold

[@redblue5149]

خوشحالم كه با يكي از نابغه هاي تاريخ امشب آشنا شدم (متشكرم از ويديوي شما)

[@melissaschroeter161]

I so understand the perfection of the language, not the expectation of the music in the Germanic mind. I married into it but I am American/European so the expectations were lower. LOL. I love a Genius and Solti is that.

[@donna25871]

Melissa Schroeter except that Solti completed all his studies at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. Born and raised in Hungary until the rise of the Nazi’s forced him to leave because of the persecution of the Jews. Pretty much the entire Jewish population in Hungary was wiped out. Studied under Bela Bartok amongst others. There is a lovely rehearsal space at the academy names after him. The attention to musical detail and musical perfection is a Hungarian trait - I experienced it with every teacher when I studied over there for a year. They expect the best from you all the time.

[@straussstrauss8242]

Bravissimo aux musiciens!

[@siddhantpetkar9728]

A movie ❤️

[@pablov1973]

The art of keep rehearsing while you are talking to the orchestra, only Szell and Walter had the same ability.

[@jomurphy1654]

Absolutely scorching command - incredible! What date was this recording, I wonder?

[@CovadongaAlvarez-dq7fu]

Un genio, un crack, un loco, un entusiasta, un maestro sin par, un dictador, alquilen que corre en formula uno, brrr, rrrrr, ahhhh ajjjj. Me pone nerviosa, electricidad en las piernas, me rasco la cabeza. Soy yo dando clase? Acabarán agotado. Cuanta energía!!!!

[@larrymagee8758]

I definitely need more Solti! I've next to none. Just some Ravel, and the 1812 overture that's it. What a shame.