Abbado… it’s been 10 years

January 20 marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Claudio Abbado. He was 80 and had been battling cancer for 15 years but he never seemed old or stale and his death marked a watershed of sorts. Without Abbado, the podium lacked a spiritual leader.

The world has changed immeasurably since he has gone. Maestros have become midgets and orchestras have learned to develop their own brand instead of huddling behind the aura of their music director.

Arte, the Franco-German TV channel, will show Abbado concerts and films from January 20 to February 19.

The London Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic, with which he spent a third of his life, appear to have forgotten him. There may yet be some acknowledgement from La Scala.

Life is short, posterity shorter still.