“In 1953, he founded the Concentus Musicus Wien as a platform for his work on Renaissance and baroque music, using period instruments – many of which he had to buy at his own expense – to counteract ‘stultifying, aesthetically sanitized music-making.'” The group went on to make history with recordings of Bach’s complete sacred works and a legendary cycle of Monteverdi’s operas. Despite controversy over some musical quirks, Harnoncourt went on to become one of the most influential conductors of the late 20th century.