BREAKING SAD NEWS| Eminent German Conductor Kurt Masur Has Died

German conductor Kurt Masur has passed away this morning in Harrison, New York - aged 88.

A specialist in the music of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mahler and Bruckner, he served as Kapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig from 1970 to 1996, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic from 1991 to 2002 - and as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic from 2000 to 2007.

Maestro Masur served as the current Music Director Emeritus of the New York Philharmonic.

“Masur’s years at the New York Philharmonic represent one of its golden eras, in which music-making was infused with commitment and devotion — with the belief in the power of music to bring humanity closer together. The ethical and moral dimensions that he brought to his conducting are still palpable in the musicians’ playing, and I, along with the Philharmonic’s audiences, have much to thank him for. I will always be grateful for the support he gave me starting long ago when I was a student. I will miss him deeply,” New York Philharmonic Music Director, Alan Gilbert has said.

DVORAK | SYMPHONY NO. 9 ‘FROM THE NEW WORLD’ | 2ND MVT | KURT MASUR | NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC | 1992

Our condolences are with Maestro Masur's family, friends, students, colleagues and the New York Philharmonic.