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NY Philharmonic Leader Kurt Masur Of Westchester Dies

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – Kurt Masur of Harrison and who was the music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for 11 years, died on Saturday, Dec. 19. He was 88.

Kurt Masur, former music director of the New York Philharmonic, died on Saturday at the age of 88.

Kurt Masur, former music director of the New York Philharmonic, died on Saturday at the age of 88.

Photo Credit: Park Avenue Armory

Masur was born on July 11, 1927 in Brzeg, Poland, becoming the music director of the Philharmonic when Leonard Bernstein died in 1991.

He led the Philharmonic until retiring in 2002, conducting 909 performances with the orchestra in total, including guest appearances starting in 1981 and ending in 2012.

Under his direction, the Philharmonic made 17 world tours, visiting 75 cities and 30 countries.

Masur also started the annual Free Memorial Day Concert, introduced the Wynton Marsalis and Jazz series at Lincoln Center, and helped the Philharmonic launch its own recording label.

He is survived by his wife, Tomoko Sakurai, and son Ken-David.

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