Zubin Mehta’s in a wheelchair

Zubin Mehta’s in a wheelchair

News

norman lebrecht

July 05, 2021

Image posted today by Gianandrea Noseda from a Maggio Musicale rehearsal.

Similar images appeared last week.

Comments

  • Gustavo says:

    Gianandrea No-Seat-a

  • Concertgebouw79 says:

    Zubin you stay a giant!

  • marcus says:

    85 year old bloke in a wheelchair. How is this news?

  • Ken Schnitzel says:

    So what ?

  • Sidney Pastor says:

    We are all in the same boat. We’re all subjected to father time.
    So long as he is healthy and able to conduct, we all benefit!
    I love him! I went to every concert in LA when he was conducting there. What a studly, handsome, and formidable conductor.
    All the best to the Maestro!!

  • Someone get him a scooter.

  • Arne says:

    The chair, the wheels, the Zubin, the Metha! Great man and one great conductor.

  • Patrick says:

    So, what? You are so small.

  • Musicman says:

    Time for Zubin to retire. Conductors are not as efficient once they cannot stand up. He had a wonderful career, but it’s to admit that he can no longer do the job at a world class level.

    • Concertgebouw79 says:

      I saw him in concert with the Israel Philarmonic less than two years ago. I remember a Ravel Valse absolutly marvelous. I saw on Youtube a Schubert last winter very good also. But there will be a moment to slow down for him like what Haitink did.

    • Zvi says:

      Oh well…while sitting he conducted Heldenleben and Mahler 2 symphony in what were legendary (no less) concerts of his farewell from Israel. Many standing conductors can only dream to excell as he has while sitting.

  • fflambeau says:

    Why is Noseda positively beaming? Mehta is very old but looks good in this pic.

  • Ruben Greenberg says:

    In a wheelchair…but still smiling. Some of us are ill, but still glad to be alive.

  • Gustavo says:

    Note the Big Bird costume in the background.

  • Good conductor. Don’t mind his age or the wheel chair. But his campaign against the struggle against sexual abuse in our field is less admirable and antiquated–clear the view of an elderly man out of step with the times. A pointed commentary in German by ARD, the German equivalent of the BBC, about the stance of Mehta and Maggio Director Alexander Pereira is here:

    https://www.ardaudiothek.de/treffpunkt-klassik/pl-cido-domingo-und-james-levine-im-konzert-ist-die-metoo-debatte-schon-wieder-verpufft/81226558

  • George says:

    He walks on stage for his concerts, but distances backstage can be far and long, so I guess this is just to make things a bit easier for him.

  • Jonathan Sutherland says:

    Zubin Mehta is conducting the Beethoven 6th and Brahms 1st symphonies in Serbia this coming Saturday with the Belgrade Philharmonic.
    It would appear neither wheelchairs nor Covid restrictions can keep the this indefatigable maestro down.
    Bravo, bravo, archibravo.

    • Jonathan Sutherland says:

      I neglected to mention that Mehta always directs his fees for these concerts to the Belgrade Philharmonic Foundation, of which he is Honorary President.
      A true, but increasingly rare exemplar of musical noblesse oblige.
      Valery Abisalovich Gergiev take note.

  • Edgar Self says:

    Aalso Klemperer and Levine.

  • Nina says:

    Perlmann ,who was a polio victim as a child is paralised in both his legs.He sits while playing as well as while conducting—this does not make him less great a musician!!!!

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