Charles Munch (Munch Charles)

(1891-1968)
Born September 26, 1891 in Strasbourg and came from an old family of musicians Alsatian. Munch As a teenager, learned to play the organ and violin. His musical education was completed in the Strasbourg Conservatory and continued his violin studies with L. Kane in Paris, later - at K. Flesch in Berlin. From 1919 to 1925, the orchestra played in the city of Strasbourg, took place at the first remote control in his famous violins in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, directed by W. Furtwangler. In 1932, Munch moved to France, where he acquired fame as an excellent teacher and conductor. In 1935, founded the Paris Philharmonic Orchestra and headed it until 1938, then became principal conductor of the Society of the Paris Conservatoire (where he worked for 11 years). The debut of Munch in the United States in 1946, when he acted as touring with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1949, Koussevitzky was replaced at the helm of this orchestra and led the team until 1962, later appeared with him on tour. For many years, Munch was conducted also in the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglvude (pc. Massachusetts), created by Koussevitzky. In 1967 at the initiative of the then French minister of culture Andre Malraux Munch organized the Paris Orchestra, and directed it until his death. Munch died in Richmond (pc. Virginia), November 6, 1968.
Activities Munch as a carrier of a mixed Franco-German cultural tradition has had a great influence on the musical life of the U.S.. His style was distinguished conductor's attention to the orchestral colors, clarity of form and drama, which is especially manifested in the performance of French music. Entries made by Munch, French prizes were given to 8 'Grand Prix du CD' and 2 prizes of U.S. National Academy of Recording. Autobiography I Munch - Conductor (Je suis chef d'orchestre) was published in Paris in 1954. Munch - Commander of the Order of the French Legion of Honor 3rd degree, as well as the French Order of Merit in art and literature '.