Felix Delbrueck wrote:

>Certainly some interesting 'revelations': most conductors were apparently
>either insatiable womanisers or screaming homosexuals.  Apparently Bruno
>Walter was an unbelievable swine who was hated by all who knew him
>personally.
>
>I'd better qualify the above in case anyone takes my somewhat over-the-top
>summary of Lebrecht's 'Maestro Myth' to task as a reliable impression of
>my critical acumen.  The bit about Walter is more or less accurate.

'The bit about Walter is more or less accurate' is a fair summation of
Lebrecht -- your reporting is accurate.  However, Walter's career, his
writing, his recordings will survive Lebrecht.

The deciding impulse in my decision to purchase a CD player in 1984 was
the announcement by CBS/Sony that all his stereo recordings were on CDs.
So I purchased a player, followed by the CDs.  I never knew Walter, but
knew many who knew him well, and all loved him.

Which is how he is remembered.  Not how Lebrecht will be remembered.

Bill S