Lorin Maazel, 84, has issued a statement on his future plans, saying that his state of health has obliged him to resign as music director of the Munich Philharmonic a year before the end of his term and that he intends to resume work ‘in the season after 2014/15’.
A Statement from Maestro Lorin Maazel
I would like to thank the literally millions of fans who have, upon hearing of some of my health difficulties I have experienced recently, redoubled requests of my services as conductor, such as the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, London’s Philharmonia et al.
I believe I have always acted as responsible professional person, and have been encouraged by my doctors that I should be fit as a conductor to take up my duties starting the Season following 2014/15 which does not exclude occasional appearances along the way. The same sense of responsibility prevents me from officially accepting any appearances as a conductor until then.
That means that with a heavy heart I am obliged to give up my position as Music Director of one of the finest orchestras in the world, the Munich Philharmonic, in my third and last Season 2014/15.
– Lorin Maazel
We wish him well.