Philadelphia Maestros: Ormandy, Muti, Sawallisch

Few orchestras in this country are as storied as the Philadelphia Orchestra. Famed for its lush sound, it is equally famous for the maestros who lead it: Eugene Ormandy, who was a last-minute substitute for guest conductor Arturo Toscanini and whose star then began to rise in the music world; Ricardo Muti, whose international fame helped to increase the standing of the Orchestra around the world; and Wolfgang Sawallisch, who returned the Orchestra to its musical roots and shepherded its move to its grand new hall at the Kimmel Center. For fans of the Philadelphia Orchestra and of great classical music, Phyllis Rodriguez-Peralta's book will be a welcome addition to any aficionado's bookshelf.