Eugene Ormandy

Eugene Ormandy , 1899-1985, American conductor, b. Budapest. At the age of five Ormandy entered the Budapest Conservatory, where he studied the violin. Graduating in 1914, he became a member of the faculty. In 1921 he came to the United States, working as violinist, concertmaster, and later conductor of the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, New York City. After a successful guest appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra, he was appointed conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1931. In 1936 he became associate conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra and later its permanent conductor and music director (1938-80). Ormandy was known for superb romantic interpretations, excelling in works by Beethoven and 19th-century masters.

Ormandy, Eugene [ Blau, Jenö] (b Budapest, 1899; d Philadelphia, 1985). Hung.-born conductor (Amer. cit. 1927). Toured Europe as child prodigy until 1914. Head of master classes, Budapest Cons. 1919. Went to USA 1921, becoming leader and, in 1924, cond. of orch. at Capitol cinema, NY. Cond. Minneapolis SO 1931–6; ass. cond. (with Stokowski) Philadelphia Orch. 1936–8, mus. dir. 1938–80. NY Met début 1950 (Die Fledermaus). Salzburg Fest. 1955. Hon. KBE 1976.