Charles Dutoit is a celebrated Swiss conductor, highly regarded for his interpretations of 20th-century French and Russian composers. Born on October 7, 1936, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Dutoit began his music journey studying at the Geneva Conservatory where he earned degrees in both violin and piano. However, his true calling was in conducting, which he pursued at music institutions in Siena, and later with eminent conductors including Charles Münch and Herbert von Karajan.

Dutoit's illustrious career took off when he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 1977, a position he held for nearly a quarter century, transforming the orchestra into a world-class ensemble through his leadership and collaborations with other musical talents. His discography is extensive, often focusing on 20th-century works, as evidenced by his recent releases such as "Debussy: La Mer" and "Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade & Russian Easter Festival Overture." His ability to draw out both precision and passion from orchestras is also showcased in concertos featuring renowned soloists, as with the "Mendelssohn & Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos" and his ongoing collaboration with pianist Martha Argerich captured in live recordings, reaffirming his status as a luminary in the classical music world. Despite facing troubling allegations in recent years which have impacted his reputation, Dutoit's musical genius and influential recordings remain a significant part of his legacy within the classical music community.

Genres

Classical Performance

Orchestral Performance

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Latest Release

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (Live)

Claude Debussy•

Stéphane Degout•

Magdalena Kozená•

José van Dam•

Verbier Festival Orchestra•

Charles Dutoit

Album - 47 Tracks - Released October 25, 2024