East Germany’s Masur to Take Over N.Y. Philharmonic

East German conductor Kurt Masur was named to a five-year term as music director of the New York Philharmonic, effective with the 1992-1993 season.

Masur, music director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, replaces Zubin Mehta, whose last season with the Philharmonic is 1990-91. When he assumes his post, Masur will conduct a minimum of 14 subscription weeks with four weeks of other work. As a member of New Forum, the East German pro-democracy movement, he was hailed as a hero in his country for averting bloodshed during last year’s anti-communist revolution.

During the 1990-91 season, Masur will conduct two subscription weeks, and will provide an overview of artistic matters, which will include guiding the planning of the 1991-92 season and orchestra auditions.

Stephan Stamas, chairman of the N.Y. Philharmonic, said that Masur will remain with the Gewandhaus Orchestra through the 1993-94 season, its 200th anniversary season. After that, Masur will maintain some association with the Leipzig orchestra.

Stamas said that it will be a difficult transition, “but we are confident” that whatever relationship evolves “his focus and interest will be on his life with the Philharmonic.”

Masur, who was in Paris rehearsing with the Orchestre National de France for Bach’s “St. Matthew” Passion, issued a statement: “I believe very strongly that after all we have talked about regarding the future of the N.Y. Philharmonic that we will succeed together in building up a close relationship between the audience, the orchestra members and the leadership of the orchestra.

“I have always been very attracted by the musical life and the audiences of New York City. I promise everyone that I will work as honestly as I have with my Gewandhaus Orchestra for the past 20 years.”

Leonard Bernstein, N.Y. Philharmonic conductor laureate, said in a statement: “I couldn’t be happier. I have nothing but esteem and affection for maestro Masur as a musician and as a human being. I congratulate all sides.”

In a statement, Mehta said he welcomes the appointment. “I’ve admired his work as a guest conductor for many years and he has created a wonderful, world-class orchestra in the Gewandhaus.”

Mehta took over the directorship of the N.Y. Philharmonic in 1978, after leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 16 seasons.

The Bombay-born conductor has declined to announce his future plans, other than to say, as he did in November, 1988, that, “having held the position of music director with various North American organizations since 1961, I must at this juncture pursue other artistic endeavors which have to do with less administrative activity than that with which a music director is usually involved.”

Masur was one of the earliest figures in East Germany to speak out against the government. He was hailed as a hero for averting bloodshed during last year’s anti-Communist revolution in East Germany, but he said recently that he wanted to keep his distance from politics.

“I am not a professional politician and have no wish to get involved in petty party politics,” he said last month at a news conference in Leipzig.

Though he ruled out full-time politics, Masur stressed he would continue to speak out if he felt it necessary--and he did so, lambasting West German politicians for interfering in the recent East German elections.

In April, 1991, Masur is scheduled to bring his Gewandhaus Orchestra to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and to San Diego during a U.S. tour. No repertory has been announced.

Daniel Cariaga contributed to this report.