Behind the Baton: An American Icon Talks Music

Celebrated American conductor Gerard Schwarz began his career in music as a trumpet prodigy who made his first recordings as a teenager. Having played in the orchestras of Bernstein, Boulez, Stokowski, and Leinsdorf, he was hailed as the new Bernstein when he gave up his solo career at age 30 to turn his talents to conducting. Schwarz raised the Seattle Symphony from obscurity to top-tier status, mostly on the basis of a comprehensive series of ground-breaking recordings. His vast discography contains some of the most exciting performances of both established and new repertoire in existence. The maestros high-octane lifestyle of conducting gigs, festival performances, teaching engagements, and television projects, as well as his commitment to raising awareness of the arts, have earned him the affection of audiences all over the world. Yet theres nothing precious or pretentious about him. As cellist Lynn Harrell says, Hes so American! Schwarzs down-to-earth approach to the music he loves is part of what makes him distinctive among conductors. Gerard Schwarz Behind the Baton: An American Icon Talks Music, told in the conductors own deliciously bold, humorous, and bracingly honest style, offers an engrossing and rewarding experience for anyone interested in classical music, from aficionados to newcomers.