“Seiji Ozawa has cancelled plans to travel to Tanglewood this summer because of health reasons,” writes Jeremy Eichler in Thursday’s (5/26) Boston Globe. “The former Boston Symphony Orchestra music director had been scheduled to conduct the ensemble for the first time since 2008…. According to a BSO statement, ‘[a]t the end of Maestro Ozawa’s month-long stay in Europe (where he performed with the Berlin Philharmonic in Berlin and the Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland in Paris) this past April, due to overwork Ozawa developed a fever which resulted in weight loss. Upon his return to Japan, Ozawa continued with another demanding period of work, which further weakened his immune system.’ Ozawa, who is 80, will, in a way, still be sending representatives. Students of the Seiji Ozawa International Academy of Switzerland will perform chamber music and selections for string orchestra in the hall that also bears the conductor’s name … In a statement, the conductor said: ‘I am very, very sad and sorry that I will have to miss this summer’s Tanglewood…. I am concentrating on eating and I am gaining more body strength now. I am so much looking forward to returning to Tanglewood soon.’ ”
Posted May 26, 2016
Seiji Ozawa photo by Hilary Scott
