Arturo Toscanini

Arturo Toscanini (25 March 1867, Parma — 16 January 1957, New York, USA) was a distinguished Italian conductor often cited among the greatest maestros of the late XIX—early XX century. He was the father of choreographer Walter Toscanini (1898—1971) and Wanda Toscanini (1907—1998), who later married pianist Vladimir Horowitz, and grandfather of architect Walfredo Toscanini (1929—2011) and photographer Sonia Toscanini Horowitz (1934—1975).

Toscanini began as a cellist, studying under Carini Severino Leandro (1834—1910) and Giusto Dacci (1840—1915) on a scholarship at Parma Conservatory. In June 1886, shortly after graduation, 19-year-old Arturo had a highly unorthodox debut at the rostrum. He just became a principal cellist and assistant choirmaster for a new opera company established by Italian set designer and architect Claudio Rossi (1850—1935), who primarily worked as South American tour contractor for leading European troupes. Amidst his ill-fated premiere tour, Rossi's principal conductor Leopold Amérigo Miguéz resigned right before Verdi's Aida performance in São Paulo; since neither the assistant conductor nor choirmaster could replace him, teenager Toscanini agreed to be a stand-in. Despite his young age, Toscanini excelled and decided to pursue this newly-founded path in favor of cello upon returning to Italy. In November 1886, Arturo gave his "home" debut at Teatro Carignano in Turin, conducting the world premiere of Alfredo Catalani's Edmea opera. From 1898 to 1908, Toscanini was a principal conductor at Teatro alla Scala, Milano.

Between 1908 and 1915, he resided in the USA, employed at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York. In December 1920, on tour with La Scala Orchestra, Toscanini made his first acoustic recordings for Victor Talking Machine Co. at Camden Church Studio in New Jersey, featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, Pizzetti, and Respighi that came out as a series of 78 RPM shellac discs. Besides a few early releases on other gramophone labels, such as Fonotipia, Brunswick Record Corporation, and The Gramophone Co. Ltd / His Master's Voice, Toscanini exclusively recorded for RCA Victor for his entire career.

In 1926, Toscanini began conducting the New York Philharmonic, extensively touring the US and Europe for most of the decade. Under the guidance of the orchestra's press manager, Dorle J. Soria (who later co-founded Angel Records with her husband), the maestro rapidly grew to international superstardom. Despite his brief early support for Benito Mussolini, Toscanini was a fervent critic of the fascist regime and persistently refused to open concerts with the "Giovinezza" hymn. In turn, Mussolini quickly went from praising "the greatest conductor in the world" to ignoring even such iconic La Scala premieres as Puccini's Turandot in April 1926. Their tensions peaked by the early 1930s after Toscanini's historical appearance at Bayreuther Festspiele as the first non-German maestro. In May 1931, Blackshirts sabotaged his Teatro Comunale di Bologna concert, physically assaulting Arturo and his wife. They immediately fled the country, narrowly escaping only thanks to the bravery of the event organizer, Cesare Nordio (1891—1977), and Ottorino Respighi's timely protection. Toscanini appeared at the Salzburg Festival (1934 to 1937) and led the Palestine Symphony Orchestra's inaugural 1936 concert in Tel Aviv.

In 1936, Toscanini resigned from NY Phil and returned to Italy, planning to retire at 69. Soon, the RCA president David Sarnoff (1891—1971) offered him to lead a new radio broadcast symphonic orchestra in the States. Hesitant at first, Arturo agreed — convinced by their mutual friend, pianist Samuel Chotzinoff (1899—1964). In December 1937, Toscanini debuted with a newly established NBC Symphony Orchestra. His third US tenure lasted for 17 years and was most illustrious, with Toscanini eventually recognized as a nationwide household name. He left the stage at 87 after suffering a transient ischemic attack during a Carnegie Hall concert in April 1954.