Pierre Monteux

Pierre Monteux, born in 1875, was a French conductor whose career spanned over half a century, leaving an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Beginning his musical journey with violin and viola studies, Monteux's conducting prowess came to the fore when he led the premieres of seminal works for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, including Stravinsky's revolutionary "The Rite of Spring" and Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloé." His tenure with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and as principal conductor of the French repertoire at the Metropolitan Opera in New York further cemented his reputation as one of the leading conductors of the 20th century. Monteux's recordings, spanning his extensive career, offer a rich legacy of interpretations that range from the masterworks of Beethoven to contemporary compositions. Beyond his conducting, Monteux established the Monteux School and Music Festival in 1943, a distinguished summer training program that continues to inspire new generations of musicians. His influence and contributions to the orchestral world make Pierre Monteux a pivotal figure in classical music history.