Maestro bounces back from long sick leave
mainVery good news just in from my man in Japan.
Seiji Ozawa is back in action, and on top form. Here’s the word from Rob Weir, principal bassoon of the San Francisco Orchestra, in Matsumoto:
Just wanted to pass along to you that I can very happily report for the Saito Kinen Matsumoto Festival, that Seiji Ozawa is in his fabulous fine form conducting Bluebeard’s Castle here in Matsumoto. It is so wonderful seeing him looking so fit and, while still a little thin, vigorous and so thoroughly the inspiring and inspired maestro.
The performances beginning, next week, will be sensational with the incredible baritone, Matthias Goerne, Mezzo Elena Zhidkova, and Andra Palerdi, bass. Wish you could be here to listen. I am happily making whatever contribution I can as principal bassoon for these performances and for the Miraculous Mandarin complete ballet. A pure joy in making music with this collection of international orchestral stars.
Ozawa, 75, has been out of action for more than a year after surgery for oesophageal cancer and hernia.
That is so fabulous to know, especially because I lost my mother in law to esophageal cancer, and I am all too familiar with the poor prognosis that is associated with the desease. So YOU GO SEIJI!
Hang in there and continue to strive!
That’s pretty good news!!! Bravo Ozawa and welcome back!
I owe my life to Seiji Ozawa.
And what a great recording you made with him…. It’s in my 100 milestones in The Life and Death of Classical Music
Amazing!
Hi Norman. Louise Frank just informed me about your response. Thank you so much. “The Life and Death of Classical Music!” I love it! It took me a while to catch on but it was in 1983 that it hit me so hard that this juxtaposition of blues and classical is what I do and who I am. The joy I receive from this is not measurable. And the source was Seiji Ozawa beginning in 1966 when he used to come listen to Siegel-Schwall and he persisted to suggest that this is something I should be focusing on. He is there in every note I write or play. And he is a very close friend. So my above comment is the simple truth. 🙂 Thanks for your great work you do Norman! cork
… Oh, one more note. hahahahah I told my string quartet about your blog and said; “Aren’t you glad to be associated with someone who’s work is a milestone in the death of classical music!”
hahahahahah LOL 🙂 cork
Thanks so much, Cork. I treasure that record, always have.