Reference News Network on February 12** According to Japan's "Asahi Shimbun" on February 10**, conductor Seiji Ozawa died of heart failure on the 6th at the age of 88. He has stood at the forefront of the world music scene for many years, leading the development of post-war classical music in Japan. Relatives have held a funeral for him, and a farewell party is being held on a certain day.
Born in Shenyang, China, in 1935, Seiji Ozawa showed early piano talent before turning to conducting after injuring his finger while playing rugby. He began his conducting studies while still in high school, studying with composer Naosumi Yamamoto and renowned cellist Hideo Saito. After graduating from Kiriho Gakuen Junior College, Ozawa went to Europe, where he became the first Japanese to win the International Young Conductors Competition in Besançon, France, in 1959.
Ozawa later became Karajan's **, whose talents were recognized by Bernstein in 1961 as an associate conductor with the New York Philharmonic. He has performed with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmonic. In 1967, "Stairway to November" was first performed in New York, causing a heated discussion around the world. This is a work by Toru Takemitsu, which fuses Japanese instruments and orchestral performances, and was successfully premiered under the baton of Ozawa.
According to the report, although Ozawa has passed away, his ** and character continue to illuminate the world, and he actively promoted local ** culture in Japan during his lifetime.
Kazuki Yamada, chief conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the United Kingdom, remembered, "Without Mr. Ozawa, we would not be able to carry out activities in the world. As a Japanese, he blazed a trail in the middle of nowhere, fighting until the last moment. ”
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra posted on the social platform X "Mourning Honorary Member Seiji Ozawa", commenting in the name of the orchestra leader: "He has left a great artistic legacy to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and partner Seiji Ozawa. ”
The focus of Ozawa's activities in Japan is on education and enlightenment. "Whether there is prosperity or recession depends on whether young people have access to good at a young age," he said. Ozawa promotes opera performances and events for children and teenagers, and provides easy-to-understand commentary with a microphone in hand.
According to the report, Ozawa is simple and full of personality charm, and he has extensive exchanges in fields other than **. Upon learning of Ozawa's death, people from all walks of life, including the literary and artistic circles, expressed their condolences.
Japanese actor Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's family has communicated with Seiji Ozawa. Kuroyanagi recalled, "He was a free man. The way of thinking and talking about problems is very interesting. He is passionate about **. ”
When Seiji Ozawa's eldest son decided to become an actor, he personally visited Tetsuko Kuroyanagi between work and greeted him, saying, "Please take care of me." Ozawa breathed a sigh of relief when Kuroyanagi said, "I think there must be no problem." In Kuroyanagi's view, Seiji Ozawa is a loving father who cares about his children. Human, approachable, and unpretentious.
Japanese architect Tadao Ando has been in a relationship with Seiji Ozawa for 20 years. Ando said, "Ozawa, who is constantly challenging new things in the world, is a symbol of Japan's credibility. Equally attractive with ** is Ozawa's character. Globally, there are not many people who are so charismatic these days. I wanted to say to him, 'Please wait a little longer.'" Compiled by Ma Xiaoyun).