Bio Full Biography »

Pierre Monteux had one of the longest active careers as a conductor, probably exceeded among famous musicians by Pablo Casals and Leopold Stokowski. He retained a youthful appearance with black hair (although his mustache was white), and was expressed by any suggestion that the color was not natural. He said anyone who said otherwise was welcome to come with shampoo, alcohol, or whatever to wash his hair and prove the color was natural. "Also you might mention that I have all my teeth," he added.' This story also illustrates his sense of humor and genial nature. It is often state that the man made no enemies, or even that he was loved by all. A lady choir singer of the author's acquaintance sang under his leadership several times and called him "the most lovable little man." He started musical life as a violinist, starting at the age of six. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of nine. At the age of twelve he conducted an orchestra in Paris. At the Conservatory he studied v...