EUGENE ORMANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1961 - HFSID 18578

EUGENE ORMANDY
B/w bust photo of conductor Eugene Ormandy, signed to a junior high school "with all good wishes" from Philadelphia in 1961
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To the William Morrison Junior High School,/with all good wishes,/ Philadelphia, 1961./Eugene Ormandy". B/w, 8x10 overall, image 7¼x8 (one surface). 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 creased at upper right blank corner. Fine condition.