Mishel Plasson Legendary French conductor Country: France

Biography of Michel Plasson

Michel Plasson, the legendary French conductor, was born in 1933 into a family of musicians. He studied piano and percussion at the Paris Conservatory. He furthered his training in the United States, working with Pierre Monteux, Erich Leinsdorf, and Leopold Stokowski.

In 1968, Plasson founded the Capitole Orchestra in Toulouse, with which he recorded a unique anthology of French music. He is now the honorary conductor of this ensemble. He also served as the conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra.

Plasson is considered one of the inheritors of the great conducting tradition, following in the footsteps of renowned maestros such as Pierre Monteux, Charles Münch, and André Cluytens. He has been performing in Moscow for four consecutive seasons.

Throughout his career, Plasson has displayed a particular affinity for French music. He has expressed his love for expressive and romantic music that tells a story. While he has conducted a wide range of Russian music, including works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Mussorgsky, his heart lies with the music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in both France and Russia.

Plasson's repertoire includes not only well-known French composers such as Debussy and Ravel but also lesser-known figures like Gabriel Fauré and Emmanuel Chabrier. He believes that French music, with its unique character and style, requires a specific interpretive quality.

Despite his affinity for French music, Plasson recognizes the importance of preserving individuality in orchestras. He laments the trend towards homogeneity in orchestral sound and the loss of distinct artistic voices.

Plasson continues to seek out new musical experiences and recordings. He has expressed a desire to record the complete works of Hector Berlioz, as well as many compositions by Francis Poulenc. He remains an active and passionate conductor, committed to bringing the joy of music to audiences worldwide.