was a Japanese conductor known internationally for his work as music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and especially the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), where he served from 1973 for 29 years. After conducting the Vienna New Year's Concert in 2002, he was director of the Vienna State Opera until 2010. In Japan, he founded the Saito Kinen Orchestra in 1984, their festival in 1992, and the Tokyo Opera Nomori in 2005.

Ozawa rose to fame after he won the 1959 Besançon competition. He was invited by Charles Munch, then the music director of the BSO, for the following year to Tanglewood, the orchestra's summer home, where he studied with Munch and Pierre Monteux. Winning the festival's Koussevitzky Prize earned him a scholarship with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic and brought him to the attention of Leonard Bernstein, who made him his assistant with the New York Philharmonic in 1961. He became artistic director of the festival and education program in Tanglewood in 1970, together with Gunther Schuller. In 1994, the new main hall there was named after him.

Ozawa conducted world premieres such as György Ligeti's San Francisco Polyphony in 1975 and Olivier Messiaen's opera Saint François d'Assise in Paris in 1983. He received numerous international awards, and a Grammy for his recording of Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges . He joined Haruki Murakami for a series of conversations, Absolutely on Music. Ozawa was the first and most widely recognized Japanese conductor to attain a prominent international career. He began piano lessons at age seven. When his family returned to Japan in 1944, he began studying piano with Noboru Toyomasu, with a focus on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

After graduating from the Seijo Junior High School in 1950, Ozawa broke two fingers in a rugby game. Hideo Saito, his teacher at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, brought him to a performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, ultimately shifting his musical focus from piano performance to conducting. He studied conducting and composition, achieving first prizes in both fields, and worked with the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the Japan Philharmonic while still a student.

International success

Ozawa travelled to Europe for further studies; he supported himself by selling Japanese motor scooters. Charles Munch, then the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, invited him to attend the Berkshire Music Center (now the Tanglewood Music Center) the following year to study with Munch and Pierre Monteux. In December 1962 Ozawa was involved in a controversy with the NHK Symphony Orchestra when some players, unhappy with his style and personality, refused to play under him. Ozawa went on to conduct the rival Japan Philharmonic Orchestra instead. In July 1963, Ozawa was in New York to appear as a guest conductor, and while there appeared on the American television program What's My Line?.

From 1964 until 1968, Ozawa served as the first music director of the Ravinia Festival,

Toronto Symphony Orchestra

In his first post as music director, Ozawa led the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) from 1965 to 1969. Basically every work on the programs, such as the symphonies by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mahler were new for him, and he described the audience as patient and supportive in a later interview. Concerts were held at the Massey Hall; they played for the opening of the new Toronto City Hall in 1965, for the Commonwealth Arts Festival in Glasgow and the Expo 67 in Montreal.

Ozawa made notable recordings with the TSO, including the Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz in 1966, a highly lauded recording by music critics.

In 1967, Ozawa and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra recorded Messiaen's Turangalîla-Symphonie that Koussevitzky had commissioned and Bernstein first conducted with the BSO. In Ozawa's version, the first in North America, Yvonne Loriod was the pianist as in the premiere. The recording was nominated for a Grammy Award. The composer would entrust Ozawa with the premiere of his opera Saint François d'Assise in Paris in 1983.

San Francisco Symphony

Ozawa was music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1970 to 1976. In 1972, he led the San Francisco Symphony in its first commercial recordings in a decade, recording music inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In 1973, he took the San Francisco Symphony on a European tour, which included a Paris concert that was broadcast via satellite in stereo to San Francisco station KKHI.

He was involved in a 1974 dispute with the San Francisco Symphony's players' committee that denied tenure to the timpanist Elayne Jones and the bassoonist Ryohei Nakagawa, two young musicians Ozawa had selected. He was committed to contemporary music then, for example commissioning San Francisco Polyphony from György Ligeti in 1975. In 1994, the BSO dedicated its new Tanglewood concert hall "Seiji Ozawa Hall" in honor of his 20th season with the orchestra.

On 24 October, 1974, Ozawa conducted a Japanese combined orchestra which included the Toho Gakuen School of Music Orchestra and members of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra with solo cello Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and solo violist Nobuko Imai in a world-wide telecast (carried on the PBS television network in the United States) from the United Nations building in New York City. The concert included a work by Beethoven and Strauss's Don Quixote with the two Japanese soloists.

In December 1979, Ozawa conducted a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. This was the first time since 1961 that the symphony was performed live in the People's Republic of China due to a ban on Western music.

Ozawa made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1992, conducting Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, in a cast with Mirella Freni as Tatyana. He returned to the house in 2008 with The Queen of Spades, both productions described as passionate and electrifying.

Ozawa created a controversy in 1996–1997 with sudden demands for change at the Tanglewood Music Center, arguing that the organization had become too clubby, which made Gilbert Kalish and Leon Fleisher resign in protest. Subsequent criticism by Greg Sandow generated controversy in the press.

Ozawa used an unorthodox conducting wardrobe, wearing the traditional formal dress with a white turtleneck instead of the usual starched shirt, waistcoat, and white tie.

Saito Kinen Orchestra

In an effort to merge all-Japanese orchestras and performers with international artists, Ozawa, along with Kazuyoshi Akiyama, founded the Saito Kinen Orchestra in 1984, named after his teacher.

In 1998, Ozawa conducted a simultaneous international performance of Beethoven's Ode to Joy at the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Ozawa conducted an orchestra and singers in Nagano, and was joined by choruses singing from Beijing, Berlin, Cape Town, New York City, and Sydney – as well as the crowd in the Nagano Olympic Stadium. This was the first time a simultaneous international audio-visual performance had been achieved.

Vienna State Opera

alt=|thumb|upright=1.2|Ozawa (center) and his family with US secretary of state [[John Kerry at the 2015 Kennedy Centers Honor dinner in Washington, D.C.]]

On New Year's Day 2002, Ozawa conducted the Vienna New Year's Concert,

He had conducted at the house before, Verdi's Ernani and Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin in 1988, Pique Dame in 1992 and Verdi's Falstaff in 1993, and began his tenure with productions of Janáček's Jenůfa and Krenek's Jonny spielt auf.

In 2005, he founded and conducted its production of Richard Strauss's Elektra. On February 1, 2006, the Vienna State Opera announced that he had to cancel all his 2006 conducting engagements because of illness, including pneumonia and shingles. He returned to conducting in March 2007 at the Tokyo Opera Nomori. Ozawa stepped down from his post at the Vienna State Opera in 2010, to be succeeded by Franz Welser-Möst. He was named an honorary member of the Vienna Philharmonic then. Ozawa's first wife was the pianist .

Illness and death

On January 7, 2010, Ozawa announced that he was canceling all engagements for six months in order to undergo treatments for esophageal cancer. Ozawa's other health problems included pneumonia and lower back problems requiring surgery in 2011. Following his cancer diagnosis, Ozawa and the novelist Haruki Murakami embarked on a series of six conversations about classical music that form the basis for the book Absolutely on Music.

His last concert took place on November 22, 2022, with the Saito Kinen Orchestra where he conducted, in a wheelchair, Beethoven's 'Egmont' Overture, which was broadcast live to Koichi Wakata, an astronaut onboard the International Space Station.

Ozawa died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo, on February 6, 2024, at the age of 88.

Daniel Froschauer, speaking for the Vienna Philharmonic, wrote: "We are happy to have experienced so many artistic highlights with Seiji Ozawa. It was a gift to be able to go on a long journey with this artist, who was characterized by the highest musical standards and at the same time humility towards the treasures of musical culture as well as his loving interaction with his colleagues and his charisma, which was also felt by the audience."

Honorary degrees

Ozawa held honorary doctorate degrees from the Sorbonne University, Harvard University, the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, National University of Music Bucharest, and Wheaton College. He was a Member of Honour of the International Music Council.

Awards and honors

<!--* 1958: Toho Gakuen School of Music: 1st Prize in conducting and composition-->

  • 1959: International Competition of Orchestra Conductors, Besançon, France
  • 1960: Koussevitzky Prize for Outstanding Student Conductor, Tanglewood
  • 1976: Emmy Award for Evening at Symphony
  • 1992: Hans von Bülow Medal (given by the Berlin Philharmonic)
  • 1994: Emmy for Dvořák in Prague
  • 1994: Inauguration of Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, the BSO's summer home in Massachusetts, where he also taught for the International Academy of Young Musicians
  • 1997: Musician of the Year (Musical America)
  • 1998: Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur (France), for the promotion of French composers
  • 2001: Member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France (Given by French President Jacques Chirac)
  • 2001: Person of Cultural Merit, Japan
  • 2002: Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class (Given by Austrian President Thomas Klestil)
  • 2002: Les Victoires de la Musique Classique (French CD prize)
  • 2002: 34th Suntory Music Award (2002)
  • 2003: Mainichi Art Award and Suntory Music Prize
  • 2008: Order of Culture, Japan
  • 2009: Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria
  • 2011: Praemium Imperiale, Japan

<!--* 2011: Order of Friendship (Russia)-->

  • 2012: Tanglewood Medal awarded, In Honor Of Tanglewood 75th Season, BSO begins new tradition with first-ever medal awarded to Seiji Ozawa, BSO Music Director Laureate, Tanglewood
  • 2015: Kennedy Center Honoree
  • 2016: Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording

Discography

Source:

  • Bartók:
  • The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19, Sz. 73 (suite); Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. BSO, 1977 – DG
  • The Miraculous Mandarin, Concerto for Orchestra. BSO, 1994 – Philips
  • Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Viola Concerto. Berlin Philharmonic, 1992, 1989 – DG
  • Berg: Violin Concerto. Itzhak Perlman (violin), Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1980 - DGG
  • Berlioz:
  • Symphonie fantastique. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 1966 – RCA / Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1973 – DG
  • Roméo et Juliette. BSO, 1976 – DG
  • Grande Messe des Morts. BSO, 1993 – RCA
  • La damnation de Faust. Tanglewood Festival Chorus, BSO, Edith Mathis, Stuart Burrows, Donald McIntyre, 1974 – DG
  • Nuits d'été. BSO, Frederica von Stade, 1984 – Sony
  • Brahms: Symphony No. 1. BSO, 1977 – DG
  • Debussy: La damoiselle élue, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, BSO, Susanne Mentzer, Frederica von Stade, 1984 – Sony
  • Dutilleux: The Shadows of Time. BSO, 1998 – Erato
  • Dvořák:
  • Dvořák in Prague: A Celebration. Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Rudolf Firkušný, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Frederica von Stade, 1994 – Sony, and 2007 – Kultur Video
  • Cello Concerto in B minor. Mstislav Rostropovich, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1987 – Erato
  • Falla: El sombrero de tres picos. BSO, Teresa Berganza, 1977 – DG
  • Franck: Symphony in D minor. BSO, 1993 – DG
  • Gounod: Faust. Alberto Cupido, Rosalind Plowright, Simon Estes, Juan Pons, Chœurs de Radio France, Orchestre National de France, 1989 - DG
  • Ives: Symphony No. 4; Central Park in the Dark. BSO, 1976 – DG
  • Lalo: Symphonie espagnole. Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin, Orchestre National de France, 1984 – EMI
  • Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Totentanz. Krystian Zimerman, piano. BSO, 1987 – DG
  • Mahler:
  • Symphony No. 1; Blumine. BSO, 1977 – DG
  • Symphony No. 8. BSO, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, 1981 – Philips
  • Symphony No. 9. Saito Kinen Orchestra. Recorded in Tokyo January 2–4, 2001. Sony.
  • Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream. Tanglewood Festival Chorus, BSO, Kathleen Battle, Judi Dench, Frederica von Stade, 1994 – DG
  • Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Yvonne Loriod, 1967 – RCA
  • Orff: Carmina Burana. New England Conservatory Chorus, BSO, Evelyn Mandac, Stanley Kolk, Sherrill Milnes, 1970 – RCA
  • Panufnik: Sinfonia Votiva (Symphony No. 8). Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1982 – Hyperion
  • Poulenc
  • Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani. BSO, Simon Preston, 1993 – DG
  • Gloria; Stabat Mater. Kathleen Battle, BSO, 1987 – DG
  • Prokofiev:
  • Piano Concerto No. 2, Yundi, piano. Berlin Philharmonic, 2007 – DG
  • Symphonie Concertante. Mstislav Rostropovich, London Symphony Orchestra, 1987 – Erato
  • Symphonies. Berlin Philharmonic, 1989–1992 – DG
  • Ravel:
  • Shéhérazade. BSO, Frederica von Stade, 1981 – Sony
  • Boléro; Rhapsodie espagnole; Valses nobles et sentimentales; Ma mère l'Oye; Menuet antique; Le Tombeau de Couperin; La valse; Alborada del gracioso; Miroirs; Pavane pour une infante défunte; Daphnis et Chloé. BSO, 1974–1975 – DG
  • Piano Concerto in G. Yundi, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, 2007 – DG
  • Respighi:
  • Ancient Airs and Dances, 1979 – DG
  • Roman Festivals; Fountains of Rome; Pines of Rome. BSO, 1978 – DG
  • Russo: Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra; San Francisco Symphony, 1972 – DG
  • Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3; Phaeton; Le Rouet d'Omphale. Philippe Lefebvre, organ. National Orchestra of France, 1986 – EMI
  • Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen. Anne-Sophie Mutter, National Orchestra of France, 1984 – EMI
  • Schönberg: Gurre-Lieder. Jessye Norman, James McCracken et al. Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra, live 1979 - Philips
  • Sessions: Concerto for Orchestra. BSO, 1982 – Hyperion
  • Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1. Rostropovich, London Symphony Orchestra, 1987 – Erato
  • Stravinsky:
  • Oedipus rex. Peter Schreier, Jessye Norman, Jocasta. Saito Kinen Orchestra, 1992 – Philips
  • Suite from The Firebird; Petrouchka. BSO, 1970 – RCA
  • The Firebird (1910 version). Orchestre de Paris, 1973 – EMI
  • The Rite of Spring. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1968 – RCA
  • Violin Concerto. Itzhak Perlman (violin), Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1980 - DGG
  • Takemitsu:
  • Quatrain (with Tashi); A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden. BSO, 1980 – DG
  • Asterism For Piano And Orchestra, Requiem For String Orchestra, Green For Orchestra (November Steps II), and The Dorian Horizon For 17 Strings. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 1969 – RCA
  • Tchaikovsky:
  • Symphony No. 4, Berlin Philharmonic, 1989 – DG 427 354–4 (cassette)
  • Symphony No. 5. BSO, 1977 – DG
  • Symphonie No. 6. BSO, 1986 – Erato
  • Variations on a Rococo Theme. BSO, 1987 – Erato
  • Vivaldi: The Four Seasons. BSO, 1982 – Telarc

Bibliography

  • Seiji: An Intimate Portrait of Seiji Ozawa (Hardcover) by Lincoln Russell (photographer), Caroline Smedvig (editor), 1998,
  • Ozawa. Mayseles brothers film. CBS/Sony, 1989. A documentary film co-produced by Peter Gelb.
  • Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa by Haruki Murakami (New York: Knopf, 2016)

References

Further reading

  • Seiji Ozawa – Photographs and video interviews on gettyimages.com