20th-century treasures: vintage conducting

Orchestral works are a major cornerstone of the classical repertoire; the musical magic of symphonies and concertos would not be possible without the central driving force behind it all, the conductor. For a long time, conductors were also musicians, sometimes even the composers themselves — in the case of Lully, von Weber, Mendelssohn, not to mention Berlioz and Wagner — who took to the podium for their own works. It was only at the beginning of the 19th century that conducting became a profession in its own right.

 

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) laid the foundations of modern conducting, profoundly shaping orchestral interpretation as we know it today. Continuing his legacy, emblematic figures like Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein also left their mark on conducting history with their genius, charisma, and stage presence, all of which are preserved thanks to advancements in both auditory and visual recording technology. Explore our “20th-Century Treasures” collection and watch these greats and more legendary conductors in action.