Eugene Ormandy

Ormandy, Eugene (Eugene Ormandy Blau; 1899–1985), Hungarian-born U.S. symphony conductor, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra 1938–80. Ormandy originally came to the United States (1921) as a violinist, but began to conduct, becoming conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1931. During his tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra he established its lush sound, particularly that of its string sections, and became a leading interpreter of Romantic music.