Maestro woe: Semyon Bychkov has back operation
OrchestrasThe Czech Philharmonic has lost its music director for the opening of the season while he undergoes back surgery.
The first three concerts will be conducted by Charles Dutoit.
Bychkov, 71, will be incapacitated for a month.
UPDATE: Message from Semyon: ‘Having undergone back surgery 2 days ago, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to the doctors who performed it. ‘I’ve received many heartwarming messages of support and encouragement, some from people I’ve never met. I’d like to thank all of them.’
Dutuoit rehabilitated?
Dutoit has continued to conduct in Europe even after his unofficial ban. Mostly second-rate orchestras, although the Czech Philharmonic is an obvious exception.
It never ceases to anger me when I read a concert announcement and see the name of a man who assaulted a personal friend. Dutoit should not be working.
You poor baby. Deal with it.
Seems there are a lot of conductors who suffer back ailments. Solti had it really bad. Conducting teachers needs to have their students emulate the master of the baton: Sir Adrian Boult. He used his fingers and a lengthy baton and made a reliable, clear, precise beat – and it didn’t wreak havoc with his body. Boult once referred to Rattle as “one of the sweaty ones”.
Boult also told his pupils to remember they were performing for the blind man in the audience. In other words, no need to put on a show.
I’ve always looked up to seasoned conductors who achieved supreme results with minimal movement. So much so that it tried to emulate the octogenarian Karl Böhm in a conducting class for non majors, with disastrous results.
Doesn’t it take time for conductors to learn economy of movement? Rattle was 28 when Boult died. Even Andriss Nelsons, once a poster boy of the sweaty school, seems to have cooled down a bit lately.
Is Bychkov overly kinetic? That hasn’t been my impression, although I experienced him in concert only 5 years ago.
What about Karajan who wore even a corset at some point and whose pain could be read on his face. I heard different théories about it, one that he fell from a roof…
Skiing accident is the story I’ve heard. I first saw him onstage in 1979, when he was 71. He already looked frail.
Alternatively, swallow a broom stick like Furtwängler!
Don’t forget Karajan
He will soon be forgotten since the signposts carrying his name have been dismantled in most places, except for Berlin.
I am very impressed by someone who can accurately predict the time scale of recovery from spinal surgery. It will depend on who has sold him the operation.
Not only the MeToo but Dutoit is 88. Interesting pairing with the Czech Philharmonic, in any case.
Two main causes of back pain are:
Alcohol
Poor posture
Alcohol dries the discs out causing slipped disc.
Drink plenty of water every day and sit up straight.
Don’t forget to enjoy life.
The vast majority of back/spine surgeries are a waste of time and money
https://www.amazon.com/-/es/David-Hanscom-MD-ebook/dp/B07ZZG71WB
https://bluechairwisdom.com/10-lessons-from-healing-back-pain/
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/10/2/16338094/dr-john-sarno-healing-back-pain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEJB1UcFRc4