342 pages, 8 plates, cloth, dj, book club edition, very good. From the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition: Arturo Toscanini, 1867-1957, Italian conductor, internationally recognized as one of the world's great conductors. He studied cello at the Parma Conservatory, from which he graduated in 1885. After performing as a cellist with various minor orchestras in Italy, he went to Rio de Janeiro in 1886 to play in the opera orchestra there. Substituting as conductor, he demonstrated his ability to elicit an electrifying performance from the musicians, and he was engaged for the rest of the season. ~ Toscanini commanded perfection from his orchestras and instilled them with remarkable energy. A tempestuous personality, he was nevertheless greatly respected by performers and was widely emulated by conductors. His artistry is preserved in recordings, notably of the symphonies of Beethoven and works by Brahms, Wagner, Verdi, and many others.

MAESTRO ARTURO TOSCANINI MUSIC ITALIAN CONDUCTORS BIOGRAPHY MUSICIANS SR3188