Did you know that one of the most revered – and feared – conductors of the 20th century was also a composer? Or at least he was, at one time.

George Szell, the musical martinet who built the Cleveland Orchestra into one of the world’s finest – even as he drove 40 percent of its musicians to seek psychiatric help, according to clarinetist Murray Khouri, who wasn’t joking – at 11 toured Europe as “the next Mozart.”

By 17, Szell added conducting to his precocious skills as a pianist-composer and soon determined the latter discipline was where his future lay.

If his own music reminds you of Richard Strauss, Szell was very much from that world. At 18, Szell was appointed to Berlin’s Royal Court Opera, where Strauss was music director. He quickly earned the older composer’s admiration and friendship. Strauss once said that he could die a happy man knowing that there was someone who could perform his music so perfectly.

It’s good that he felt that way, because Szell wound up having to conduct the first half of the world premiere recording of Strauss’ “Don Juan,” when the composer overslept. Since a 78-rpm record could only accommodate four minutes of music per side, the session was planned in four parts. Strauss walked in just as Szell was completing the second and thought it so good, he allowed it stand. The complete performance was issued under Strauss’ name.

Szell credited Strauss as being a major influence on his conducting style. For Strauss’ part, he continued to keep track of his protégé even after Szell settled in the United States.

By then, for Szell, there would be no more composing. He did, however, keep up with his pianism, which came in handy during rehearsals. Occasionally, he also played and recorded chamber music.

He brought all his experience to bear on his quest for artistic excellence on the podium. That he was a triple-threat was like gilding the lily for one already as threatening as George Szell.

One of Szell’s early compositions, “Variations on an Original Theme”

World premiere recording of “Don Juan” (1917), with Szell and Strauss conducting

Szell as a Mozart pianist

Szell’s benchmark modern orchestra Haydn

While on tour with the Cleveland Orchestra in Tokyo, and with only two months to live (he was terminally ill with cancer), Szell conducted what may very well be the most thrilling performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 I have ever heard, certainly on a par with the classic Barbirolli account with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Szell speaks!

Szell on “The Bell Telephone Hour” on NBC. These days, you won’t even find something like this on PBS.

Szell rehearses Beethoven

Szell conducts Beethoven and Bruckner in Vienna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuXODojyfME

Happy birthday, G.S.!