Seriji Ozawa
Photo: CAMI
At the occasion of Seiji Ozawa’s 85th birthday, Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh has issued a proclamation (link) declaring September 1, 2020, ‘Seiji Ozawa Day in the City of Boston’.
In a statement, Mark Volpe, President and CEO of the Boston Symphony says: « On behalf of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I wish Seiji Ozawa a very happy 85th birthday celebration with his wife, Vera, daughter, Seira, son, Yuki, and dear grandson, Masaki. As the longest-serving music director in BSO history and a most beloved figure worldwide, Seiji holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of his many colleagues and the innumerable young musicians he has mentored throughout his distinguished career. »
The longest-serving conductor in Boston Symphony history, Seiji Ozawa held the title of BSO Music Director for 29 years (1973-2002) and continues his long association with the orchestra with the title Music Director Laureate; his most recent BSO conducting appearance at Symphony Hall took place in November 2008. His legacy of achievement with the BSO is evidenced through national and international touring, award-winning recordings (more than 140 works of more than 50 composers on 10 labels), television productions (winning two Emmy awards), and numerous commissioned works by Toru Takemitsu, Henri Dutilleux, Peter Lieberson, and many others.
