After a most unfortunate accident, former Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Seiji Ozawa has been forced to cancel three performances following a fall that fractured his hip on August 1st. According to the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, the 79-year-old conductor has taken a tumble and hurt his hip. It is being reported he will undergo three weeks of physical therapy at an undisclosed hospital.
Per a last minute decision, Ozawa will be replaced by American Gil Rose for the performances of the Hector Berlioz opera Beatrice et Benedict on Aug. 24, 27 and 29.
Organizers of the festival said Saturday that his 80th birthday concert, to be held on Sept. 1, will go on as scheduled. Ozawa also, will conduct on Sept. 6. The festival runs from Aug. 9 to Sept. 15 in the city of Matsumoto.
This wouldn't be the first accident Ozawa has had, either. When he was 12 years old, the conductor broke both index fingers during a rugby game, which helped non-ironically point the finger in the direction of conducting and composing.
Having been named one of this year's Kennedy Center Honorees, Ozawa is known for his triumphant flair and modern style both on and off the podium. Ozawa led the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002 as well as the Vienna State Opera from 2002 to 2010.
Boston-based critic Michael Steinberg described Ozawa in 1964 as exhibiting "...a kind of lightness and grace that was in the music-making, but above all a physical gift for conducting that I've never seen surpassed by any conductor."
Thus, in keeping with his greatness, we wish a speedy recovery to the conductor so that he may return to his well-deserved duties as an artist.
For now, here's a preview of the composer below.
