Zubin, 85, revisits his 1958 debut
NewsZubin Mehta, 85, will conduct the Belgrade Philharmonic on July 10th in commemoration of one of his first professional engagements back in 1958. The Belgrade Philharmonic Foundation has established a Zubin Mehta Fund for procuring instruments for young artists.
Zubin says: ‘I am extremely happy and proud to return to one of my favorite orchestras – the Belgrade Philharmonic, which I have known since 1958. We have a long-lasting friendship during which we have created a common history. I am very happy that the new concert hall that this wonderful orchestra needs and deserves has finally become the present.’
Great to Maestro Mehta has recovered from Covid. He looks energetic and exudes enthusiasm.
Covid too? I only knew of Mehta having recovered after cancer treatment a couple years ago, and apparently being in good shape again.
I realize that it is easy to be magnanimous at someone else’s expense but wouldn’t his somewhat perfunctory statement have more meaning if he indicated that at least a portion of his fee, assuming he is receiving one, was being donated to the fund established in his honor? I can think of many well-established orchestral musicians and conductors who have made similar gestures of support for worthy causes.
I doubt he charges his normal fee in Belgrade. Or that Belgrade could afford it. But he regularly returns there because he appreciates that they gave him his first chance; and accepts what they can afford to pay him.
Recently I heard several of his records with the LA Phil from the late 60’s and 70’s on CD and on Spotify. It’s was more than excellent especially a one for Respighi.
I had no idea he had ever conducted in Belgrade, much less maintained a relationship there.
He started his career as a conductor in Belgrade. The sad thing is that Belgrade philharmonic orchestra didn’t choose him as a chief conductor back in 1958.
A complete fraud.