Excerpt from "OSR: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande 1918-1988"
Francois Hurdy, texte Jean Mohr et Fernand Rausser, photos.
The somber political events of World War II caused several illustrius German conductors to flee their country. Wilhelm Furtwängler and Carl Schuricht settled in Switzerland, and the OSR was to benefit greatly from the unexpected opportunity of having in its midst these two outstanding musical personalities.
Furtwängler conducted his favorite repertoire of Beethoven, Brahms and Strauss; while Carl Schuricht was to become - in spite of himself - the orchestra's principal guest conductor.
Schuricht was literally worshiped by audiences in Suisse Romande, even when this famous conductor tried with difficulty to acquaint them with the works of Bruckner and Mahler. (Both of these composers were systematically attacked by local critics!)
As for Sir Thomas Beecham, he conducted an unforgettable concert devoted to Mozart, in which he moved with unbridled joy through the work.
GO BACK TO Carl Schuricht and Orchestras.