Tokyo Symphony on Maazel

Press release from the Tokyo Symphony, more personal and touching than much of what I have seen:

Tokyo Symphony mourns passing of Maestro Lorin Maazel

The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra deeply mourns the passing of Maestro Lorin Maazel.

Maestro Maazel first conducted the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in November 7, 1963, which was his debut in Japan. Forty-eight years later, he led the Tokyo Symphony in performances of Beethoven’s 1^st symphony and Mahler’s 1^stSymphony in a special concert commemorating the TSO’s 65^th anniversary. This concert took place after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, 2011, which severely damaged our home concert hall, so his appearance gave us great encouragement. TSO musicians still describe that concert performed under his baton as an unforgettable experience.

We were especially shocked by the sudden news of his passing because we had been discussing with him his return toconduct the TSO in the 2015 season.

We remember Maestro Maazel expressing his love of Japanese culture including Kabuki and Noh and Japanese cuisine. He enjoyed drinking Japanese green tea during rehearsals and backstage.

We express our sincere condolences to his family and express our gratitude for what he bequeathed us and the musical world. [please click for pdf file]

July 15, 2014

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra