Blomstedt Withdraws From SFS and Other Programs

Herbert Blomstedt

San Francisco Symphony Condutor Laureate

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Symphony

Herbert Blomstedt, 96-year-old Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, has withdrawn on doctors' recommendations from a number of upcoming conducting engagements, following a fall that has put him in the hospital. At SFS, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic, will conduct the February 2-4 concerts at Davies Symphony Hall; he'll lead the same works that Blomstedt scheduled.

Falls are dangerous at any age and especially trying for a person of HB's age. Best wishes to Herbert Blomstedt for a swift and complete recovery!

Here's the press release:

CONDUCTOR JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE REPLACES HERBERT BLOMSTEDT IN SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO. 7 AND SCHUBERT SYMPHONY NO. 6 AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, FEBRUARY 2–4  Maestro Blomstedt is currently being treated in hospital after a fall and has been advised by his doctors to cancel his concert engagements until further notice

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste will step in for San Francisco Symphony Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt for the Orchestra’s upcoming February 2–4 program featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Schubert’s Symphony No. 6. Maestro Blomstedt is currently being treated in hospital after a fall and has been advised by his doctors to cancel his concert engagements until further notice.    Patrons who already purchased tickets for the February 2–4 concerts do not need to do anything; tickets and seat location will be honored. For assistance with tickets, patrons can contact the Box Office by phone at 415.864.6000, email at patronservices@sfsymphony.org, or in person at the Davies Symphony Hall Box Office, on Grove Street between Van Ness Avenue and Franklin Street in San Francisco.