On March 14, 2024, French pianist and conductor Jean-Pierre Marty died at the age of 91.

Born on Oct. 12, 1932, Marty studied with Alfred Cortot and Julius Katchen. His career as a pianist began at the age of 13 and became the accompanist for cellist Pierre Fournier. Then he went on to make a solo career performing several piano concertos.

The pianist performed in France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany and in 1953 his career was interrupted by serious muscular problems. During this time he also studied harmony, counterpoint, and composition with Nadia Boulanger and eventually became the Director of the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau.

After his serious muscular problem, Marty shifted his career to conducting, taking lessons from Robert Irving and Thomas Schippers. He first conducted the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. He then shifted to opera and led the New York City Opera and Washington Opera. When he returned to France, he became the Music Director of the Opera Season of the French Radio for seven seasons.

Throughout his career, Marty performed symphonic and operatic works in Europe and America and made several recordings including Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites” with Régine Crespin as well as works by Offenbach, Auber, and Rossini. He also recorded the piano works of Schumann from Opp. 1 to 32.