Just in: Mehta is replaced in Berlin for two concerts by Seiji Ozawa

The Berlin Philharmonic have announced that Zubin Mehta cannot conduct them in April 2016 for reasons connected to his 80th birthday plans.

To replace him Berlin have recruited Seiji Ozawa, who has not conducted a full concert since falling sick with cancer of the oesophagus almost five years ago.

Welcome back, Seiji.

press release:

Zubin Mehta has cancelled his concert with the Berliner Philharmoniker on 6 April 2016. Instead, Seiji Ozawa will now conduct two new concerts at the Berlin Philharmonie on 8 and 10 April 2016

The concert originally scheduled for 6 April 2016 conducted by Zubin Mehta (soloist: Daniel Barenboim) will unfortunately no longer take place as Zubin Mehta has changed his personal plans for his 80th birthday.

We are delighted that we have managed to engage Seiji Ozawa as a replacement to conduct two concerts with the Berliner Philharmoniker on 8 and 10 April 2016.

Seiji Ozawa has had close ties with the Berliner Philharmoniker since 1966 and most recently conducted them in May 2009.

Changes to the concert programme are as follows:

Friday, 8 April 2016, 20:00 Philharmonie

Sunday, 10 April 2016, 20:00 Philharmonie

Berliner Philharmoniker

Seiji Ozawa Conductor

Rundfunkchor Berlin Choir

Peter Serkin Piano

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Serenade No. 10 in B flat major KV 361 (Gran Partita) without

conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven Egmont op. 84. Overture

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy in C minor op. 80 (Peter Serkin, piano /

Rundfunkchor Berlin)