Masur, << mah ZOOR, >> Kurt (1927-2015), was a German conductor who specialized in music of the classical and romantic periods. Masur served as musical director of the New York Philharmonic from 1991 to 2002 and of the Orchestre National de France from 2002 to 2008. He was also the principal conductor of the London Philharmonic from 2000 to 2007.
Masur began his career conducting operas. He was musical director of the Komische Oper in East Berlin from 1960 to 1964. He was chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic from 1967 to 1972 and director of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra from 1970 to 1996. He toured widely with the Leipzig orchestra. Masur appeared as guest conductor of orchestras throughout the world. He made his American debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1974 and first conducted the New York Philharmonic in 1981.
Masur was born on July 18, 1927, in Brieg, Germany (now Brzeg, Poland). He studied piano and cello at the National Music School in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), from 1942 to 1944. From 1946 to 1948, he studied piano, composition, and conducting at the Leipzig Conservatory. Masur died on Dec. 19, 2015.
