And now this, the sad bit. Headed “Seiji Ozawa, famous Japanese conductor, has Alzheimer’s”, the post was made in June last year, but the short footage must be a few years older as Zubin Mehta hasn’t conducted standing since about 2019. Quite why the conductors are together, and the Thunder & Lightning Polka is heard ‘slow’ (sound and picture not synchronised anyway) is a mystery, although some cheer may be found in the conductors’ camaraderie…
Seiji Ozawa conducts Schubert’s ‘Great C-major’ Symphony. Saito Kinen Orchestra; 1996. But, a sad postscript. Also ‘What’s My Line?’ 1963.
So poignant, that clip with Mehta. And rather dark, with the puzzlingly slow-speed soundtrack (can no-one correct it?). But what about that ‘What’s my Line?’ clip! A delight, to be sure – how charmingly Ozawa comes across – but astonishing that a panel with Woody Allen as a member didn’t recognise him a good while after his debut with the New York Philharmonic as Bernstein’s assistant.
Seiji/Zubin footage at correct speed:
https://www.facebook.com/ardsical/videos/must-watch-music-survives-alzheimersseiji-ozawa-famous-japanese-conductor-has-al/1639353659603453/
I hesitate to identify the orchestra: looks like Rainer Honeck leading, so Vienna Phil, but it’s not the Musikverein, might be the Konzerthaus. Really not sure though.
Nailed it! Concert on November 1, 2016, Tokyo, with following legend:
“Special video clip of the finale scene from Suntory Hall 30th Anniversary Gala Concert, with Seiji Ozawa, Zubin Mehta and Wiener Philharmoniker.”