The Real Toscanini

www.therealtosc... Produced & Directed by: Chuck Gomez www.chuckgomezd...
Assistant camera operator: Ai Ikeda
(Amadeus). Lauded by Verdi, Debussy, and other music legends, the celebrated conductor Arturo Toscanini raised the standards of orchestral and operatic performance over an astonishing 69 years on the podium. But as he did so, he acquired a reputation as something of a tyrant, who unleashed an explosive temper at musicians if rehearsals did not meet his expectations. In The Real Toscanini , Cesare Civetta presents an intriguing collection of vivid, one-of-a-kind interviews with artists who performed with Toscanini. A portrait of the inner workings of the maestro emerges through these extensive conversations, conducted by the author over a period of 20 years, together with other firsthand recollections. These accounts clarify Toscanini's philosophy, musical style, and techniques. They depict a man tormented by inner demons of anger and depression, which were easily triggered by his frustration at being unable to produce the musical ideal in his mind's ear. Toscanini is also revealed as a vehement anti-Fascist and an unequivocal opponent of totalitarianism and racism he defied Mussolini and publically opposed Hitler. The book includes a comprehensive account of his 1936 inauguration of what is now known as the Israel Philharmonic, in solidarity with Jewish refugee musicians. Toscanini comes through in this book as a tortured but deeply humane individual who strove to constantly improve a sincere and humble musician who was nevertheless the preeminent maestro of the 20th century.
Robert Hupka photos courtesy of Arthur Fierro, Estate of Robert Hupka, Totowa, NJ

[@maurogonzalez4098]

Amazing to think we were able to listen to someone in 2012 who had helped another man born in 1867 deal with this "new" technology of the radio. Really shows how recent all of this was.

[@ggriglio]

Alan Shulman comment is what many conductors tend to forget: the music is the only thing that matters, above and beyond the conductor. I don't think that people, even back then, would have put up with his famous outbursts if that was not evident.

[@maurocoimbra9624]

Wonderful testimonies!!

[@samthepianoman]

YOU HAVE NO EARS

[@abcnowcontrol]

And the great Bruno Walter was a great fan of Toscanini...

[@herbertglass4941]

So were George Szell and Fritz Reiner (also tyrranical geniuses)

[@pablov1973]

They very good friend and they were great fan of the other.

[@Horatio_on_the_Beat]

Beautiful!

[@detectivehome3318]

RIP David Sarser

[@marisarossi6692]

era iroso, ma rimane il più grande di tutti