Eugene Ormandy A Centennial Celebration Curated by Marjorie Hassen Otto E. Albrecht Music Library University of Pennsylvania

The Early European Career of Eugene Ormandy

Jenõ Ormándy
Vienna, 1921

Leaflet for a violin recital given by Jenõ B. Ormándy Vienna, 12 March 1921 Ormandy's 1920-21 tour to Austria and France appears to have occasioned the surname change from "Blau." He later dropped the Hungarian "Jenõ" for its English equivalent, "Eugene." Ormandy was reticent to discuss the origin of his adopted surname, although it is interesting to note the existence of a town in the western region of Hungary called "Ormánd," with which there may have been a family connection. Furthermore, in the Hungarian language, the appended "y" to the word "Ormánd" would translate in English to "from Ormánd."

Jenõ Ormándy Vienna, 1921 The inscription on this card, which reads in translation: "To the dear Zádor family with lots of love, Jenõk Ormándy, Vienna, 31 March 1921," likely refers to the family of the Hungarian-born composer Eugene Zádor. Ormandy later conducted Zádor's works in Minneapolis and Philadelphia, among them several world premieres.