Solti’s remarkable partnership with the CSO began in 1954, when Solti first led the Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival. He returned to Chicago for guest engagements with the Lyric Opera in 1956, made his Chicago Orchestra Hall debut on December 9, 1965, and his first concerts as Music Director were in September 1969. Solti served as Music Director for 22 years (1969-1991) and Music Director Laureate for a further 7 years until his passing (1991-1997) and is credited with greatly extending and building the Orchestra's reputation worldwide – starting in 1971 with its first foreign tour. Solti’s recordings garnered many international honours including 33 Grammy® awards (24 which were made with the CSO) – more than ANY other recording artist to this day – including a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Trustees Award. Highlights include: Wagner’s Die Meistersinger, the complete Beethoven Symphony Cycle, Mahler’s Symphonies 2, 7, 8 & 9, the Bach Mass in B minor, and Berlioz’ La Damnation de Faust. “[Solti and Chicago] was a musical marriage made in heaven. They very much appreciated his style of musicianship and his style of leadership. Equally, he found the precision of their sound very much to his liking.” JAMES MALLINSON, Producer on many of Solti’s recordings with the CSO “If you listen to the slow movements of his recordings of the Bruckner symphonies you’ll find there a personality of huge humanity, warmth and generosity” MICHAEL HAAS, Producer on the landmark Bruckner cycle with the CSO