World’s Best Conductor, Seiji Ozawa Died at 88

Seiji Ozawa, the Japanese conductor and a fabulous leader, died at the age of 88. He was one of the world’s best conductors and head of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 

Seiji left this world in tears and died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo on February 6, as per a voanews report. The Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor was 88 years old at the time of his death. Ozawa served the Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002 as a music director. 

In addition to being the first Japanese to command the summits of Western classical music, he was also a great leader. Seiji Ozawa is also known for ending the bitterness in the relations between Japan and China.

Seiji Ozawa was born on September 1, 1935. He served several Orchestra companies for 29 years. He received huge recognition and multiple awards from music lovers all over the world. 

Seiji Ozawa’s Career

From 1964 to 1973, Seiji Ozawa directed several orchestras. However, in 1973, he became music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ozawa’s tenure at the BSO was 29 years, a record for any music director with a particular orchestra.

He won his first Emmy award for the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1976. He received his first Emmy for a television series, Evening at Symphony. Seiji Ozawa won his second Emmy award in 1994 for individual achievement in cultural programming for Dvorak in Prague: A Celebration. 

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Ozawa, with the support of Kazuyoshi Akiyama, founded the Saito Kinen Orchestra in 1992 to connect all Japanese performers and orchestras with international artists. In the same year, Ozawa made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. 

Seiji Ozawa’s big achievements before he died at 88

Seiji Ozawa was awarded with Japan’s Order of Culture in 2008. This award show was held at the Imperial Palace. He also received the 34th Suntory Music Award in 2002 and the International Center in New York’s Award of Excellence. Including two Emmy awards, Seiji Ozawa also won several other national awards before he died at 88. 

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