For many years, Sir Georg Solti was the last great representative of the
central European musical tradition, which was characterized by elegance and
impeccable tastefulness. Solti's remarkable partnership with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra began in 1954, when he first led the orchestra at the
Ravinia Festival. After returning to conduct the ensemble several times
during the following years, he was named Music Director in 1969 and held
this post for a phenomenal 22 years. He is credited with greatly extending
and enhancing the orchestra's worldwide reputation. This recording with the
great soprano Lucia Popp, who passed away far too prematurely, was recorded
at Chicago's Orchestra Hall in 1977.