Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

July 18, 1927 in Brzeg, Poland

Death

:

December 19, 2015 in Greenwich, CT

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Kurt Masur was a renowned German conductor and musician who was born on July 18, 1927, in Brieg, Germany (now Brzeg, Poland). He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father was a church organist and his mother was a singer. Masur began his musical training at the age of 10, studying piano, organ, and composition. In 1946, Masur enrolled at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied conducting with Hermann Abendroth. He graduated in 1951 and began his career as a conductor in East Germany. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor, and in 1955, he was appointed conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. Masur's career continued to flourish throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the principal conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra from 1970 to 1996, where he was widely credited with revitalizing the orchestra and restoring its reputation as one of the world's leading orchestras. One of Masur's most notable performances was his 1989 concert in Leipzig, which was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. The concert was broadcast live on television and radio throughout Europe, and it was attended by thousands of people. Masur conducted the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was widely regarded as a symbol of hope and unity in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Masur was also known for his commitment to promoting peace and social justice through music. In 1992, he founded the Orchestras for Peace initiative, which brought together musicians from around the world to perform in support of peace and human rights. He also served as the music director of the New York Philharmonic from 1991 to 2002, where he was known for his efforts to promote music education and outreach programs. Throughout his career, Masur received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1996, he was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government. He was also awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 2001. Masur continued to perform and conduct until his death on December 19, 2015, at the age of 88. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of his generation, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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