Music is the elixir of life: Kurt Masur

From 1955 to 1972, Masur conducted in Dresden and Berlin. The list of his awards is long. Many were bestowed by the East German government. Later, in reunified Germany, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, the German Television Prize, the Westphalian Peace Prize, an Echo award for his life's work, and the 2013 European Culture Award.

From 1970 to 1996, Masur was the director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig. After his farewell concert on New Year's Eve 1996, he was appointed the orchestra's first honorary conductor. The New Gewandhaus on Augustusplatz (in photo) and two former concert halls in other locations, also named Gewandhaus, have housed the Gewandhaus Orchestra since 1781.

In the autumn of 1989 Masur (third from right) made an appeal for non-violence, contributing to the peaceful collapse of the East German regime. Together with the "Leipzig six," he called for calm at the Monday demonstrations. More than 70,000 people heard his message. He later commented: "I was just one of the more famous of those people who had overcome their fear."

From 1991 to 2002, Masur served as music director of the New York Philharmonic. The American public adored him. Matthew VanBesien, president of the Philharmonic, said that Masur "set a standard" that lives on today. "What we remember most vividly is Maser's profound belief in music as an expression of humanism."

From 2002 to 2008, Masur led the Orchestre National de France. He also served as the principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (in photo). German President Joachim Gauck praised his work in both roles, saying Masur had "given many people all over the world unparalleled musical experiences."

In 2012, Masur fractured a shoulder blade during a concert. Shortly after, he announced that he was suffering from Parkinson's disease. In 2013, he fell once again, this time breaking a hip. Masur was forced to cancel several concerts. But he always fought his way back to the podium. In June 2014 he conducted a concert at the Berlin Philharmonic, in a wheelchair.

Masur never wanted to be a star. He once said that he could never stop doubting his musical talent. Despite this, he was one of Germany's greatest conductors. As an 80-year old, he said: "Knowing that I have a rehearsal the next day at 10 a.m. is what keeps me going. Should I just stop and wait to die?" No one could accuse Masur of doing that. Now though, death has claimed him at the age of 88.