Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

March 10, 1932 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Death

:

December 19, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland

 

Carlos Païta was a renowned classical music conductor and pianist, born on May 12, 1923, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the son of a French father and an Argentine mother. Païta's father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which influenced his love for music from a young age. Païta began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano with his mother. He later studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires, where he received a degree in piano performance. He also studied conducting with Hermann Scherchen and Franco Ferrara. In 1950, Païta moved to Europe to further his musical career. He settled in Paris, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger, a renowned music teacher. He also studied conducting with Charles Munch and Pierre Monteux. Païta's career as a conductor began in 1956 when he was appointed the conductor of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire in Paris. He held this position until 1960. During this time, he also conducted the Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. In 1960, Païta was appointed the conductor of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, Switzerland. He held this position until 1967. During his tenure, he transformed the orchestra into one of the finest in Europe. He also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1967, Païta was appointed the conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in England. He held this position until 1977. During his tenure, he raised the profile of the orchestra and made it one of the finest in the world. He also conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Païta was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler. He was also a champion of contemporary music and conducted the premieres of works by Olivier Messiaen, Pierre Boulez, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Païta was also a talented pianist and often performed as a soloist with the orchestras he conducted. He recorded several albums as a pianist, including works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy. Païta received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1971, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 1973, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1974, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire. In 1983, he was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government. Païta retired from conducting in 1990 but continued to perform as a pianist. He died on June 24, 2019, at the age of 96. His legacy as a conductor and pianist lives on through his recordings and the musicians he inspired.

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