Kurt Masur

Kurt Masur – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Meta description:
Kurt Masur (1927–2015), a German conductor revered for his deep interpretations of German Romantic music and his moral courage in East Germany’s 1989 protests. Explore his life, career, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Kurt Masur was one of the great conductors of the 20th and early 21st centuries: a musician of moral conviction, interpretive depth, and lasting influence. Known especially for his long tenure with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and his directorship of the New York Philharmonic, Masur combined musical authority with humility, often avoiding the limelight while letting the music speak. His interventions during the East German protests of 1989 further cemented his reputation not only as an artist, but as a public figure willing to act in times of crisis. Today, his legacy endures in recordings, students, and the example he set of artistry entwined with humanity.

Early Life and Family

Kurt Masur was born on 18 July 1927 in Brieg, Lower Silesia (then in Germany; now Brzeg, Poland).

During WWII, Masur’s youth was interrupted. In October 1944, all German men aged 16 to 60 were drafted; he served briefly in a parachute unit.

Masur was married three times and had five children.

• His first marriage was to Brigitte Stütze; they had three children and later divorced in 1966.

• His second marriage was to Irmgard Elsa Kaul; they had a daughter, Carolin Masur, who became an opera singer. Tragically Irmgard died in a car accident in 1972, in which Masur himself was gravely injured.

• In 1975, he married Tomoko Sakurai (a soprano and violist). They had one son, Ken-David, who followed musical paths as a singer and conductor.

Youth and Education

After the war, Masur studied at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig (then Leipzig Conservatory). From 1946 to 1948 he pursued conducting, composition, and piano.

In those early years he also served in regional opera and theater houses—Erfurt, Halle, and the Leipzig Opera—while guest conducting with radio orchestras. These formative experiences helped him develop a rigorous technique of score analysis, dramatic sense from opera, and sensitivity to orchestral color.

Career and Achievements

Early Appointments & Rise in East Germany

Masur’s first major orchestral appointment came in 1955 when he became conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic.

In 1970 he became Kapellmeister (chief conductor) of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, a post he held until 1996.

International Leadership

In 1991, Masur became Music Director of the New York Philharmonic (NYP), succeeding Zubin Mehta.

While in New York, he led performances that were symbolic and powerful—one noteworthy concert was Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem performed shortly after the 9/11 attacks, bringing solace to audiences.

Beyond New York, Masur served as principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (2000–2007) and as Music Director of the Orchestre National de France (2002–2008).

Over his career, Masur received many awards and honors:

• Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1995)

• Gold Medal of Honor for Music from the National Arts Club (1996)

• Commander of the Legion of Honor (France)

• Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Germany) in 2007

• Leo Baeck Medal (2010) for his humanitarian contributions

• Honorary citizenship of his birthplace, Brieg (Brzeg)

• Honorary memberships and doctorates from musical institutions

Historical Milestones & Context

While Masur’s reputation rests on his musical achievements, his place in recent history is also tied to political and social moments—particularly in East Germany. Having lived and worked in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Masur never joined the ruling Socialist Unity Party, though he benefited from its support of the arts.

A defining moment came on 9 October 1989 in Leipzig. As anti-government protests swelled, there was fear that state security forces would violently suppress demonstrators. Masur intervened, negotiating with officials and persuading security forces to stand down, helping prevent bloodshed on that day.

After reunification, Masur declined political office despite some inviting him to take leadership roles. In effect, he remained “the conductor” rather than “the politician.”

In his later years, Masur’s health declined. In 2012 he disclosed his struggle with Parkinson’s disease, and in that same year he suffered a fall off the podium during a performance, which also impacted his ability to perform. 19 December 2015 in Greenwich, Connecticut, at age 88, from complications related to Parkinson’s.

Legacy and Influence

Kurt Masur’s legacy is multifaceted: musical, pedagogical, moral, and institutional.

• Musical legacy: His interpretations are recorded widely, especially of German Romantic repertoire (Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bruckner).

• Institutional impact: The Gewandhaus Orchestra flourished under him and remains tied to his name.

• Pedagogical influence: His students include Kahchun Wong, Matthias Manasi, Cornelius Meister, Ivo Hentschel, Adrian Prabava.

• Moral example: His firm but nonviolent stance in 1989 left a lasting impression on how artists can engage in public life.

• Humanist reputation: He is often described not only as “maestro” but as a cultural statesman who bridged divides between East and West, art and responsibility.

Personality and Talents

Masur was known for a conducting style that was measured rather than flamboyant—his gestures moderate yet clear, precise in conveying nuance.

He was introverted in many social contexts. One quote captures this well:

“I can go in front of an orchestra. I can go in front of an audience. But if you see me walking through an audience … I’m still shy.”

Still, he strove for humility in his leadership:

“And I always tried to be not a star. To be someone who people like to talk to.”

Masur also had a fierce sense of musical integrity:

“A great conductor elicits music from the silence.”

He understood that gestures, silence, breathing, and mutual listening among musicians all contribute to the living essence of performance.

Famous Quotes of Kurt Masur

Here are selected quotations that reflect Masur’s musical philosophy, humility, and perspective on leadership:

• “A great conductor elicits music from the silence.”

• “And I always tried to be not a star. To be someone who people like to talk to.”

• “I can go in front of an orchestra. I can go in front of an audience. … But … walking through an audience … I’m still shy.”

• “He must try to study that. And he must find out in which station of life of Beethoven he did.”

• “Very often, if I know the orchestra doesn't know a piece … I have main ideas … But then we start to play and I never talk about places where they played so beautiful … that there is nothing to say.”

These lines illuminate how Masur balanced preparation with spontaneity, leadership with respect, and authority with approachability.

Lessons from Kurt Masur

From Masur’s life and work, several lessons emerge—both for musicians and for any passionate professional:

1. Deep preparation underlies artistic freedom.
   Masur’s leadership often came from preparation: he expected orchestras to be ready, and used that as a platform for expressive freedom.

2. Humility and humanity are strengths, not weaknesses.
   He shunned being a “star,” preferring to connect with people through music and dialogue.

3. Silence is as important as sound.
   His credo—eliciting music from silence—reminds us that restraint, space, and listening matter as much as notes.

4. Art can matter in political life.
   His intervention in 1989 shows that artists can act responsibly in public life—not in grand theatrics, but quietly, morally, effectively.

5. Leadership demands clarity and respect.
   He guided musicians not by intimidation, but by conviction, clarity, and mutual trust.

Conclusion

Kurt Masur’s life is a testament to how one person can unite musical mastery, moral courage, and human engagement. He reminds us that the conductor’s true role is not to dominate, but to enable—to bring forth the latent voice in an orchestra and in a moment. His firm but gentle leadership, his insistence on integrity, and his willingness to stand when it mattered leave a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and listeners alike.

Explore more of his recordings, study his interpretations, and reflect on how his example bridges art, ethics, and community. His story still speaks to us: listen in the silence.