Orchestra Conductor. He came to attention as conductor for Sergei Diaghilev's "Ballet Russes" (1911 to 1914), where he led the world premieres of Igor Stravinsky's "Petrushka"(1911) and "The Rite of Spring"(1913), as well as Maurice Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe"(1912). After World War I service with the French army, Monteux began his long association with the United States, conducting French repertoire at the Metropolitan Opera (1917 to 1919). He was music director of the Boston Symphony (1919 to 1924), Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam (with Willem Mengelberg, 1924 to 1929), the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris (1929 to 1935), which he founded, the San Francisco Symphony (1935 to 1952), and the London Symphony Orchestra (from 1961 until his death). In 1943 he founded the Pierre Monteux School for conducting in Hancock, Maine, where his pupils included Andre Previn, Lorin Maazel, and Sir Neville Marriner. He became an American citizen in 1946. As a conductor he favored steady tempi and subtlety of phrasing over flashy effect; he was automatically associated with French music but his vast repertoire encompassed three centuries of works from many countries. He made many recordings but claimed he hated them because they lacked the spontaneity of live performances. They now constitute the major part of his legacy.
Orchestra Conductor. He came to attention as conductor for Sergei Diaghilev's "Ballet Russes" (1911 to 1914), where he led the world premieres of Igor Stravinsky's "Petrushka"(1911) and "The Rite of Spring"(1913), as well as Maurice Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe"(1912). After World War I service with the French army, Monteux began his long association with the United States, conducting French repertoire at the Metropolitan Opera (1917 to 1919). He was music director of the Boston Symphony (1919 to 1924), Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam (with Willem Mengelberg, 1924 to 1929), the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris (1929 to 1935), which he founded, the San Francisco Symphony (1935 to 1952), and the London Symphony Orchestra (from 1961 until his death). In 1943 he founded the Pierre Monteux School for conducting in Hancock, Maine, where his pupils included Andre Previn, Lorin Maazel, and Sir Neville Marriner. He became an American citizen in 1946. As a conductor he favored steady tempi and subtlety of phrasing over flashy effect; he was automatically associated with French music but his vast repertoire encompassed three centuries of works from many countries. He made many recordings but claimed he hated them because they lacked the spontaneity of live performances. They now constitute the major part of his legacy.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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