Seiji Ozawa, the dynamic Japanese conductor who burst onto the Western classical music scene in the 1960s and ’70s and later helmed the Boston Symphony Orchestra for nearly three decades, passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Tokyo. He was 88 years old.
His management office, Veroza, confirmed that the cause of death was heart failure, as announced on Friday.
Mr. Ozawa battled health issues since 2010 when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Despite undergoing surgery and facing back problems exacerbated during his recovery, he never fully regained his health and later contended with heart valve disease.
A trailblazer in classical music, Mr. Ozawa spearheaded the influx of East Asian musicians into the Western classical music scene, helping to propagate Western classical music across Korea, Japan, and China. Despite initial prejudices against Asian musicians’ ability to grasp Western music’s interpretive nuances and emotional depth, Ozawa’s magnetic personality, profound musicality, and relentless dedication shattered these misconceptions.
Known for his energetic presence, distinctive mop of black hair, and youthful demeanor, Ozawa quickly captivated audiences. In 1973, he ascended to the pinnacle of the American orchestral scene as the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he excelled in conducting large, complex compositions that daunted others.
During his tenure, which lasted until 2002, Ozawa toured extensively and recorded prolifically with the orchestra. However, some critics believed his 29-year tenure was overly protracted.
Richard Dyer, the music critic of the Boston Globe, praised Ozawa’s departure, noting that he left the orchestra and the institution in a better state than he found them.
Despite being a role model for Asian musicians, Ozawa seldom discussed the challenges he faced. However, he recounted experiencing bias after being booed during performances of Puccini’s “Tosca” at La Scala in Milan in 1980.
His career was marked by notable achievements, including serving as the music director of the Vienna State Opera until 2010. However, health issues thwarted his aspirations for a major concert stage comeback.
Born in Japanese-occupied Shenyang, China, on September 1, 1935, to Kaisaku and Sakura Ozawa, he initially studied piano but later shifted his focus to conducting under Hideo Saito at the Toho School of Music in Tokyo.
Ozawa’s journey to international acclaim began in 1959 when he won a competition for orchestral conductors in Besançon, France. He subsequently studied under renowned conductors such as Herbert von Karajan in Berlin and Leonard Bernstein, who appointed him as an assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic in 1961.
His career flourished as he held positions at prestigious institutions such as the San Francisco Symphony and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Ozawa’s impact extended beyond the concert hall. In 1979, he played a pivotal role in facilitating cultural exchanges between China and the United States when the Boston Symphony Orchestra embarked on a tour of China.
Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, hailed Ozawa as one of the most influential conductors of the 20th century, crediting him with attracting new audiences to classical music.
Ozawa’s legacy endures through his recordings, performances, and the orchestras he helped establish, including the Saito Kinen Orchestra and the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival.
In his later years, Ozawa reflected on the depth and richness that age brings to musicianship, recognizing that a musician’s artistry often flourishes with time.
Seiji Ozawa is survived by his wife, Vera, their son, Yukiyoshi, their daughter, Seira, and a grandson. His passing marks the end of an era in the world of classical music, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to resonate across generations.