Health update on Mariss Jansons
mainHours after having to give up on Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony, the principal conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was said to be resting in his Sydney hotel. A source close to the orchestra said there was no cause for concern. The tour had been too much for him.
The orchestra flies home tomorrow at the end of a four-week tour.
UPDATE: The Concertgebouw have made no mention of Janson’s unfortunate withdrawal on their official sites. But they have moved swiftly to deny reports on this site that their principal conductor will not renew his contract. That’s Dutch for media policy.
A four-week tour can be terribly exhausting. It all depends on how frequently they perform, as well as how many hours of travel they have between each concert. I wish Maestro Jansons swift recovery!
Sorry to hear that Mariss Jansons has been so sick during this tour — I guess that it was a bit too exhausting for him. Glad that it’s nothing more serious, though. He’s one of the finest conductors out there right now.
I heard the Concertgebouw with Jansons conducting in Los Angeles (La Mer with Brahms 2nd on the second half, then Strauss’ Don Juan and Mahler 5). It was truly an amazing experience to hear them live, even in Disney Hall. I was hoping they’d come back again, but I don’t know how much longer Jansons will remain in charge of the orchestra, especially if he’s had some health issues on this recent tour.
In any case, wishing him a speedy recovery.
It was a pretty punishing schedule of two programmes, with generous encores:
Programme 1: Wagenaar: Overture Taming of the Shrew; Stravinsky Firebird Suite; Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony.
Programme 2: Beethoven PC 3 with Bronfman; Strauss Ein Heldenleben,
Here, for example, is the final week, of the four week tour, with flights hither and thither:
Melbourne Prog 1 Tuesday
Melbourne Prog 2 Wednesday
Sydney Prog 1 Friday
Sydney Prog 2 Saturday
Sydney Prog 1 Sunday (5pm) – the one he handed over at interval.
I was at the first two Sydney concerts, both splendid, with full view of him for both. He looked tired. The average of the orchestra I would say was half his.
Safe trip home and rest well Maestro.
Penultimate sentence above reads: The average age of the orchestra I would say was half his.