Happy Birthday Seiji Ozawa, the legendary Music Director of Boston Symphony Orchestra (1973-2002) and now Music Director Laureate, who turns 85 years young today.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra joined organizations worldwide closely affiliated with Seiji Ozawa—including the New Japan Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Vienna Philharmonic, Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, and Decca recording label— to say #happybirthdayseiji —on social media.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh named September 1, 2020 as “Seiji Ozawa Day in the City of Boston,” citing his many musical achievements, including 140 musical recordings, two Emmy Awards and numerous commissioned works.
James Taylor and his family sang a special Happy Birthday to Seiji from their barn in Western Massachusetts.
Here are details on Seiji‘s incredible years with the BSO and to his many contributions to the cultural and civic life of Boston, Massachusetts and New England.
And here is an excerpt from Seiji Ozawa conducting the BSO performance of Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique, “March to the Scaffold” in Tanglewood.
From all of us in Massachusetts & New England, #happybirthdayseiji.