French media is reporting that conductor Georges Prêtre died at his home in Southern France yesterday. He was 92 years old. Billboard points out that Prêtre conducted symphonies across the globe including New York's Metropolitan Opera. He last conducted in October when his rendition of Boléro (a one movement piece by his countryman Maurice Ravel) earned him a standing ovation at Vienna, Austria's Musikverein.
In honor of the late conductor, try spending a few quiet moments watching him conduct the piece for Rai National Symphony Orchestra at his first symphonic concert way back in 1994. For extra credit, read Michael Cooper's piece for the New York Times.
This article appears in Jan 5-12, 2017.