Eugene Ormandy

"Beethoven in Beijing" starts with a forgotten moment in history —the first American orchestra's visit to communist China. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1973 tour was a gesture of cultural diplomacy that resonates still today, as the revival of classical music in China energizes the world of music.

Peter TCHAIKOVSKY -Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35 -Romeo and Juliet, Op.18 Modest MUSSORGSKY -Pictures at an Exhibition Itzhak Perlman (violin) Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy

The idyllic life of a young Cajun boy and his pet raccoon is disrupted when the tranquility of the bayou is broken by an oil well drilling near his home.

A socialite pretends to be poor and blind in her plan to help a blinded pianist.

A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort.

This DVD pays tribute to a representative of the famous conductor personalities of the last century: Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985), who was both energetic and graceful on the podium, was known for his infallible ear and prodigious memory. He became famous for his relationship with the Philadelphia Orchestra, which he served as Musical Director from 1936 until 1980. Under his direction, the orchestra developed its legendary warm, textured, romantic “Philadelphia” or “Ormandy” Sound. Claude Debussy (1862–1918) and Gustav Holst (1874–1934) belonged to a generation of composers that influenced the musical output of the early champions of modernism.