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Internationally renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa, 76, has canceled all his scheduled performances for the rest of the year due to health reasons, he said in a statement released Wednesday by his office.
The statement said he would not conduct until at least February next year in order to concentrate on recovery on the advice of his doctors.
Ozawa has been in declining health since undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer in January 2010. In January last year, he had endoscope surgery to remove a back hernia and took six months off to recover.
Last summer, he had been scheduled to conduct an opera at the famous Saito Kinen Festival in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, but canceled that due to pneumonia and dehydration. He also pulled out of a China tour in September.
Japanese media reported Wednesday that Ozawa had pneumonia in February and that his doctors advised him to rest. He had been scheduled to conduct four concerts in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shiga and Aichi over the next two months.
In the statement released by his office, the maestro said it was an extremely tough decision to make. He said that he will devote himself for the next year to rehabilitation and diet therapy in order to regain his strength.
Ozawa added that he plans to attend this summer's Saito Kinen Festival in his capacity as event general director and he will also give lectures.
Ozawa, who has worked with Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, spent almost 30 years leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra. From 2002 until 2010, he was musical director of the Vienna Philharmonic.
© Japan Today/AFP
12 Comments
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smithinjapan
'Tis a shame. This is definitely one time that 'made in Japan' has a great deal of importance and meaning. The man is an excellent conductor. I hope that the time he spends of the job, which I think will be permanent, will at least let him recover and enjoy some more time yet. If he can't come back to the job -- so be it, so long as he can rest and get better. At 76, I'd say he's more than done his part.
BurakuminDes
Get well soon, Maestro.
Serrano
I just heard on NHK he suffers from lower back pain. I know what that's like! I hope he recovers and conducts again.
zabutonsenbei
It's so hard to deal with lower back pain, especially if you are standing for hours with your arms in the air. Best wishes for a full recovery.
JeffLee
Maybe he should just, um, retire. 76 and with serious cancer? Let it go, and enjoy the rest of your days. Your loved ones will appreciate you more for doing so.
gyouza
I know that people really do mean it in the best interests of Ozawa sensei when they advise him to retire, and I would advise the same - but this isn't a job for him, it is a passion, something he loves doing. I hope he can recover, and continue what he loves doing, and what people love him doing.
Fadamor
Conductors find things MOST enjoyable when they are leading a large group of people in making beautiful music. To no longer be able to do so would not be enjoyable to them at all.
FightingViking
Maestro, I know my son joins me in wishing you a complete recovery - as soon as possible.
gelendestrasse
I'm sorry he's ill, he is quite a good conductor. But if you're doing something you love why retire? I doubt he's ready to go sit in a park somewhere
whiskeysour
rest man !!!! get some rest !!!!!!!!!!
Noripinhead
Yes, get some well-earned rest. Listen to some classical CDs. Ozawa is one the last remaining legendary conductors.