Carlo Maria Giulini

Carlo Maria Giulini was an Italian conductor who rose to prominence during an era when many Italian conductors were tainted by their association with fascism. No such accusation was ever levelled at Giulini however who maintained his integrity throughout the war remaining a pacifist even when drafted into the Italian army before eventually deserting and hiding from the German occupying forces and their Italian collaborators. After Italy was liberated Giulini picked up his conducting career which he had begun prior to the start of hostilities and quickly became a highly respected conductor whose services were in demand around the world. Initially he established a reputation conducting operas but by the 1960s was a popular orchestral conductor and had a successful 23-year association with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during which time he also served as a principal director of the Los Angles Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony. He made many notable recordings during his career and his style was defined by his serene but masterful command of the score plus an overriding passion for music. He died in Brescia, Italy in 2005 at the age of 91.