Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

1935

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

Diego Masson is a renowned conductor, composer, and percussionist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 30, 1949, in Marseille, France, Masson grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Masson was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano and percussion instruments. Masson's musical education began at the Conservatoire National de Marseille, where he studied percussion and composition. He later continued his studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he studied conducting with Pierre Boulez and composition with Olivier Messiaen. Masson's training under these two legendary figures had a profound impact on his musical style and approach. In 1972, Masson founded the Ensemble Ars Nova, a contemporary music ensemble that quickly gained recognition for its innovative programming and performances. The ensemble performed works by leading contemporary composers, including Boulez, Messiaen, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Masson's work with Ars Nova helped establish him as a leading figure in the contemporary music scene. In addition to his work with Ars Nova, Masson has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles around the world. He has worked with the London Sinfonietta, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestre National de France, among others. Masson's conducting style is known for its precision and attention to detail, and he is highly regarded for his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of complex contemporary works. Masson's compositions are also highly regarded in the contemporary music world. His works have been performed by leading ensembles and orchestras, including the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the London Sinfonietta, and the Orchestre National de France. Masson's compositions are known for their intricate rhythms, complex harmonies, and innovative use of percussion instruments. Throughout his career, Masson has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1982, he was awarded the Prix de la Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco for his work as a composer. In 1990, he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his contributions to the arts. In 2009, he was awarded the Grand Prix de la Musique Symphonique by the SACEM for his work as a conductor. One of Masson's most notable performances was his conducting of the world premiere of Boulez's "Répons" at the Donaueschingen Festival in 1981. The piece, which was written for a large ensemble and live electronics, was a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of contemporary music. Masson's precise and nuanced conducting helped bring out the intricate details of the piece, and the performance was widely regarded as a triumph. Another notable performance by Masson was his conducting of the London Sinfonietta in a performance of Messiaen's "Des canyons aux étoiles" at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2008. The piece, which was written for a large orchestra and features a solo piano, is a complex and challenging work that requires a high level of precision and attention to detail. Masson's conducting helped bring out the beauty and complexity of the piece, and the performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike.

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