Warner Classics recently released a fascinating boxset exploring the recordings made by conductor George Szell for the label (reviewed in this month's Gramophone). Included is a disc-long audio documentary compiled and narrated by Jon Tolansky, and you can hear a specially-compiled series of excerpts from that documentary below. Tolansky introduces the excerpts below the player.

'The documentary bonus CD in Warner Classics’ George Szell anniversary set comprises never before released interviews with Szell and many other distinguished figures as well as a previously unreleased rehearsal with Szell and the great pianist Emil Gilels. The three extracts here feature:

'Commentary from the Cleveland Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Second Violin Emilio Llinás, with extracts from Mozart’s Concert Aria Alma grande e nobil core and Schubert’s Symphony No 9.

'Commentary from the London Symphony Orchestra’s former Concertmaster John Georgiadis (who sadly has very recently died), with an extract from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn lieder: Wer hat dies Liedlein erdacht – Szell had just sacked the deputy harp player from the recording session.

'Commentary from George Szell (who even evaluates the literary attributes of some critics!), with an extract from Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance Op 46 No 3.

'The documentary includes more conversations with Szell and more evidence of his effect on musicians – with some recollections that may surprise readers and listeners as they are not all scary by any means.'

The full documentary is released as part of 'George Szell - Complete Warner Recordings' – available now.