Monteux, Pierre

Monteux, Pierre (pyĕr môNtö`), 1875–1964, French-American conductor, studied at the Paris Conservatory. As conductor (1911–14) of Diaghilev's Ballet Russe, he directed the premieres of ballets by Stravinsky, Ravel, and Debussy. He came to the United States in 1916 to conduct the Ballet Russe on its American tour, and he remained for two seasons at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City, and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1919 to 1924. For the next 10 years he appeared as guest conductor of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra. He became conductor of the Paris Symphony Orchestra in 1930 and of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1936. In 1942 he became a U.S. citizen. From 1961 until his death Monteux led the London Symphony Orchestra. He was known for the purity and self-restraint of his interpretations.

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Monteux, Pierre (Benjamin) (1875–1964) conductor; born in Paris, France. He studied violin before becoming the conductor of the famous Ballets Russes in 1911; he conducted their legendary world premiere of Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps (1913). He went to America in 1917 and held the podium of the Boston Symphony from 1919 to 1924. Returning to Paris he founded the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris and remained as its head until 1938. Meanwhile, in 1936 he also began a tenure as conductor of the San Francisco Symphony that lasted until 1952. In 1941 he established a summer school for conductors at Hanover, N.H. From 1960 until his death he worked with the London Symphony. He was known as a restrained but impeccable conductor, looking for the essence of the work rather than imposing himself on the music.