EUGENE ORMANDY - AUTOGRAPH 1935 - HFSID 161150

EUGENE ORMANDY
Conductor Eugene Ormandy signed this small card in Minneapolis in 1935, during his first major conducting job as conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Signature: "Eugene Ormandy/935./Minneapolis.". Pencil notations on verso in unknown hand. 4½x3½ card. Ormandy was conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1931 to 1935. It was his first major appointment as a conductor. Renowned as the Conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for an unprecedented 44 years, Ormandy (1899-1985), born Eugene Ormandy in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, now Hungary, had begun his musical career as a violinist. After making his U. S. concert debut in 1924, he joined CBS, becoming one of radio's first important conductors. In 1931, Ormandy was asked to replace Arturo Toscanini, who was scheduled to make a guest appearance with the Philadelphia Symphony but had taken ill. Ormandy became an overnight sensation following his performance. He was named Associate Conductor of the Symphony in 1936 and permanent Conductor in 1938. Under his direction, the Philadelphia Symphony became the first U. S. symphony to perform in the People's Republic of China. For his contributions to American music, Ormandy was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 and was a Kennedy Center honoree in 1982. He retired as Conductor Emeritus in 1980, five years before his death. Lightly toned and soiled. Signature has bled slightly but is legible. Show-through from adhesive remnants on verso (does not touch signature). Tape residue on verso. Otherwise in fine condition.