Michael Gielen

Full biography Michael Gielen

Michael Gielen (July 20, 1927 - March 8, 2019) was a German conductor and composer renowned for his uncompromising approach to music. Gielen was recognized for his dedication to modern and contemporary music and is regarded as one of the most influential conductors of the 20th century.

Born in Dresden, Germany, Gielen was the son of the famous conductor and composer Josef Gielen. Michael Gielen began his music career as a pianist, studying under the tutelage of Edwin Fischer and Rudolf Serkin. He later took up conducting, studying under Hermann Scherchen and Leonard Bernstein.

Gielen served as the music director of the Frankfurt Opera from 1977 to 1987 and was the chief conductor of the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1986 to 1999. He was also a guest conductor with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic.

As a composer, Michael Gielen was influenced by the Second Viennese School and is noted for his highly complex and cerebral music. He composed operas, chamber music, and orchestral works, and his works were premiered by major orchestras around the world.

Michael Gielen's contribution to the development of contemporary music cannot be overstated. He was a champion of new and experimental works and was renowned for his precise and uncompromising interpretations of modern composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Luigi Nono.

Michael Gielen passed away on March 8, 2019, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of music. His commitment to modern music and his groundbreaking interpretations will be remembered by music lovers and scholars for generations to come.