Zubin Mehta: I watch cricket all the time
OrchestrasThe conductor, 88, on a visit to India, has been talking about the things he misses about the country.
‘I watch cricket all the time. Although I don’t have a favourite, I have of course backed India whenever possible,” he said. Thanks to the 24-hour cricket channel Willow in Los Angeles, Zubin manages to catch up on live and past matches.
‘They broadcast live and past matches. And I watch whenever I can. You know I am very busy also, so I can’t just sit and watch. But sometimes I watch in the middle of the night because of the time difference, I upset my wife a lot.
‘I miss mangoes. Hapus, alphonso. They are not allowed to be sent so easily. Sometimes my friends try. But the customs keep them until they are overripe. That I miss, cricket I watch. Friends I am in touch with…
‘I can’t do without chillies. I grew up with it, that’s my food. There is no such thing as getting along. I have spicy food wherever I want. I grow my own chillies at home. ‘
Source here.
Wish him many years to enjoy his cricket and favorite foods. For a very long time he personified HIS orchestra and gave us much joy.
When I was very young his Mahler 8th in Jerusalem was sold out (1976?). I approached him near the entrance looking for a miracle. He smile and said “just talk to me”, and we walked together into the auditorium, everybody assuming I belonged inside.
It was obvious he enjoyed being kind.
I remember him conducting at Covent Garden in the 1970’s and early 80’s. Otello, La Fanciulla del West, Salome and more. Always kind and good relations with the orchestra in those days. I remember playing the short solo for the 5th first violin in act 1 of ‘Fanciulla’. It caused him some amusement. Happy days!
He was certainly up for skipping off to catch a bit of a Test match when in London in the summer. Been doing it for many years. Well, it is the greatest game in the world…..
“greatest game”?
For natives of the colonies perhaps.
War without guns….
The original article says he lives in LA. But didn’t he and his wife move a few years ago? Much was made a while back about how they were selling their house in Malibu that they’d owned for like 60 years and moving away.
Anybody that watches cricket 24/7 mist be a truly great orchestral conductor.