Louis Frémaux was a distinguished French conductor, renowned for his significant influence on the development of orchestral music in the latter half of the 20th century. Born in Aire-sur-la-Lys, France, in 1921, Frémaux's early musical education was steeped in the rich traditions of French classical music. After serving with distinction in the French Resistance during World War II, he furthered his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, where his talent quickly set him apart.

Frémaux is perhaps best known for his tenure as the principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) from 1969 to 1978, a period during which he significantly raised the ensemble's profile through ambitious programming and numerous recordings. Among his most celebrated recordings are works by Saint-Saëns, Berlioz, and other French composers, as well as pieces from a broader repertoire as evidenced in his discography, which includes performances of works by Lalo, Lalande, Ravel, J.S. Bach, Mozart, Britten, Walton, and Rimsky-Korsakov. His recording of Walton's Symphony No. 1 and Violin Concerto with the CBSO remains a benchmark interpretation of these works. After leaving Birmingham, Frémaux's career continued in Australia and France, where he remained an influential figure in classical music until his retirement. Louis Frémaux's legacy is that of a consummate musician, whose interpretive skills and dedication to his art form have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. He passed away in 2017, leaving behind a rich discography that continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts of classical music.

Genres

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Baroque

Opera

Choral

Related Artists

Yuja Wang

Hélène Grimaud

Lang Lang

Daniel Barenboim

Zubin Mehta

Maurizio Pollini

Martha Argerich

Riccardo Muti

Charles Dutoit

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Valery Gergiev

Pierre Boulez

Latest Release

Boulez: Piano Sonata No. 2; Berg: Piano Sonata Op. 1; Milhaud: Le Carnaval d'Aix

Claude Helffer•

Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra•

Louis Frémaux

Album - 17 Tracks - Released September 27, 2024