Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

June 18, 1904 in Paris, France

Death

:

June 6, 2003 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Manuel Rosenthal was a French conductor and composer who was born on June 18, 1904, in Paris, France. He was the son of a Spanish father and a French mother. Rosenthal began his musical studies at the Paris Conservatory at the age of 10, where he studied composition with Maurice Ravel and conducting with Charles Munch. Rosenthal's career as a conductor began in 1925 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Orchestre Lamoureux. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented conductor and was soon appointed as the principal conductor of the Orchestre des Concerts Populaires in 1937. During his tenure with the orchestra, Rosenthal conducted a wide range of repertoire, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and Ravel. One of Rosenthal's most significant achievements as a conductor was his work with the Orchestre National de France. He was appointed as the principal conductor of the orchestra in 1953 and held the position until 1962. During his tenure, Rosenthal conducted many premieres of contemporary works, including pieces by Olivier Messiaen, Pierre Boulez, and Henri Dutilleux. Rosenthal was also a prolific composer, and his works were often performed by the orchestras he conducted. His most famous composition is the ballet score for "Gaîté Parisienne," which was based on the music of Jacques Offenbach. The ballet premiered in 1938 and was an instant success, becoming one of the most popular ballets of the 20th century. In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, Rosenthal was also a respected music educator. He taught conducting at the Paris Conservatory from 1948 to 1974 and was a mentor to many young conductors, including Seiji Ozawa and Daniel Barenboim. Throughout his career, Rosenthal received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1956, he was awarded the Grand Prix National de la Musique by the French government, and in 1962, he was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. He was also awarded the Order of Merit by the German government in 1974. Despite his many achievements, Rosenthal remained humble and dedicated to his craft throughout his life. He once said, "I am a musician, and I have always been a musician. I have never thought of myself as anything else." Manuel Rosenthal passed away on June 5, 2003, at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential conductors and composers of the 20th century.

More....