Kurt Masur

Kurt Masur, a highly respected conductor of the 20th century, gained international recognition despite working in Communist East Germany. He was known for his leadership with the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, as well as conducting the New York Philharmonic and London Philharmonic later in his career. Masur's extensive recording catalog, which began to circulate in the West before German reunification, continues to be reissued posthumously, showcasing his diverse range of musical performances.

Born in Brieg, Germany in 1927, Kurt Masur initially pursued a career in engineering before following his passion for music. He rose through the ranks of conducting in the 1950s, holding positions with various orchestras before becoming the Gewandhauskapellmeister of Leipzig in 1970. Masur later served as music director of the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, and the Orchestre National de France, leaving a lasting impact on the classical music world. Despite battling Parkinson's disease in his later years, Masur's legacy lives on through his extensive discography and continued reissues of his work.