Franz-Paul Decker Conducts Shostakovich

Franz-Paul Decker was to have conducted the Montreal Symphony this week in a program featuring Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony. Decker was the orchestra's music director from 1967-75. Unfortunately, Decker was forced to cancel his appearance due to ill health. At the age of 88 - he will be 89 in June - he may be the oldest conductor alive still appearing with major orchestras. Decker has had a long and illustrious career, much of it in Canada. In addition to his association with the Montreal Symphony he has been artistic advisor of the Calgary Philharmonic (1975-77) and the Winnipeg Symphony (1980-82), and principal guest conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (1991-99). At various times he has also been music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the New Zealand Symphony and the Barcelona Symphony. In the video we see him conducting the Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona (Barcelona Symphony) in a movement from the Symphony No. 6 by Shostakovich. The performance was recorded in 1989. Paul E. Robinson