Kurt Masur - Conducting Career

Conducting Career

Masur conducted the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra for three years ending in 1958 and again from 1967 to 1972. He also worked with the Komische Oper of East Berlin. In 1970, he became Kapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, serving in that post until 1996.

In 1991, Masur succeeded Zubin Mehta as music director of the New York Philharmonic (NYP). During his tenure, there were reports of tension between Masur and the NYP's Executive Director at the time, Deborah Borda, which eventually contributed to his contract not being renewed beyond 2002. In a television interview with Charlie Rose, Masur stated that regarding his leaving the NYP, "it was not my wish". The root of the problem was a fundamental discordance in status between the Americas and Germany regarding employed personalities of standing. In the former case, the hired beneficiary is expected "to report" to the benefactor, in the latter, he expects a free hand to execute his tasks as he feels best on account of his (to be) recognized experience. Masur stepped down as the NYP's Music Director in 2002, and was named its Music Director Emeritus, a new title created for him. The critical consensus is that Masur improved the playing of the orchestra compared to his more pliable and forbearing predecessor.

In 2000, Masur became principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), and held this position until 2007. In April 2002, Masur became music director of the Orchestre National de France, and served in this post until 2008, when he took the title of honorary music director of the ONF. On his 80th birthday, 18 July 2007, Masur conducted musicians from both orchestras at a Proms concert in London. His performances draw a wide range of reviews. Masur has appeared as a guest conductor with the world's leading orchestras, and holds the lifetime title of Honorary Guest Conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

In February, 2012 Masur was scheduled to conduct Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis' with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His participation was cancelled at the last minute, and John Oliver took his place. The cancellation was due to Maestro Masur's advancing Parkinson's Disease. In April 2012 he fell off the podium during a performance of Tchaikovsky's sixth symphony in Paris and was rushed to hospital. He returned to share a concert with his son, Ken-David, at Tanglewood on July 22, 2012. In October 2012, he issued a health statement declaring that he had been suffering for some years with Parkinson's Disease for some years but that he would continue to conduct orchestras so long as life and medical care permitted.