Seiji Ozawa is in the process of getting back to conducting onstage after having surgery for esophageal cancer, as reported by James R. Oestreich in the New York Times (his most recent article here). Mr. Ozawa, who just turned 75, only managed to conduct one movement of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings before he had to step down due to sciatic problems (definition here). I honestly do not know much about Mr. Ozawa, other than the fact that he was the conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for almost 30 years, and that he was once a student of the German conductor Karajan. Yet, his name has left an impression on my mind that will most likely never go away, and this was all due to a youtube video. It was a video of Seiji Ozawa conducting Die Fledermaus Overture by Johann Strauss II. At that time, I thought that it was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen and heard. The video actually managed to move me to tears. There was so much character brought out in the piece by both the orchestra and the conductor. Also, it was a lively composition in itself. I am glad that he is returning to the stage once more, so that there will be more chances to experience his conducting.
Shirley Mak
Seiji Ozawa Conducting Die Fledermaus Video Link
Seiji Ozawa while conducting.
Seiji Ozawa is one of the master conductors of the 20th Century. It is a shame to see his ill health slow down his career. He came to prominence in the 1960’s and was a star at Tanglewood, and was appointed an assistant conductor of the NY Philharmonic by Leonard Bernstein. (Ozawa was an assistant conductor of the NY Phil at the same time as Copland School of Music Orchestra Conductor Maurice Peress.). The video is amazing. There is incredible rhythmic freedom in terms of the phrasing. Getting 65 players to phrase together like that is quite an achievement.
Excellent article worth considering in class in NY Times this morning:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/arts/music/13saito.html?_r=1&ref=music
The incredible development of Western music in Japan can also be seen in the performances of young musicians. Here is a performance of a work by Leonard Bernstein, played by 11 year old Japanese students!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAfy5e6uXs8&feature=related