Szell, George

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Szell, George (1897–1970) US conductor and pianist, b. Hungary. Szell assisted Richard Strauss at the Berlin State Opera and became its director (1924–30). In 1939, he moved to the USA and became conductor (1942–46) of the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Under Szell's directorship (1946–70), the Cleveland Orchestra became a world-class ensemble.

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