Herbert Blomstedt: the world's oldest active conductor looks back on his career
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- čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
- Herbert Blomstedt is one of classical music's most unusual personalities. He was born in 1927 and at 93 is one of the world's oldest active conductors. But what sets him apart from many of his conducting colleagues? Blomstedt refutes common conducting clichés to be the star of the show, instead his mission is to bring good music to as many people as possible. And he is still hungry. In the interview, the master confesses: “I like different things. In that way I’m a hopeless youngster.”
The musicians Herbert Blomstedt leads adore him as much as his audience. They appreciate his knowledge, skills and his humility.
Herbert Blomstedt was born in the USA, the son of an Adventist pastor but his family is of Swedish origin. Blomstedt studied under the celebrated Leonard Bernstein, but says he learned nothing musical from the maestro.
Throughout his career he has held chief positions with the Staatskapelle Dresden, San Francisco Symphony and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Today, at the age of 93, he's still not slowing down and is regularly invited to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Herbert Blomstedt on his career, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, The Berlin Philharmonic, working as a conductor in the former GDR and many other topics.
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A truly great conductor. May Maestro Blomstedt enjoy much love and good health.
Blowing away by his mental sharpness! At that age this is beyond incredible!
Truly a prodigy full of wisdom!
One of the greatest conductors of all time!!
Thank you for this wonderful clip about Herbert Blomstedt. He is truly an inspiration for all who love classical music. There is great humility and wisdom in his words.
He keeps getting better and better.
it's a true joy to watch him conducting
Such a marvellous inspiring look at Maestro- Happy 94th Birthday!
Do professional conductors live longer? I have worked with several who have lived into their 90s.
I attended one of his conducting masterclasses in 1980 in Loma Linda, CA when I was a very young conductor. He taught us that everything has to come from the baton. So the conducting students were not allowed to speak to the orchestra during the sessions. He also sent me home one afternoon for wearing a sleeveless sundress at this 7th day Adventist university, which was against the rules! I see that his right arm is now much more relaxed than it used to be in the 1980s. He is also no longer using a baton and sits down to conduct. The aerobic exercise of conducting for over seventy years has certainly kept his mind sharp and his body agile for his age! I should be so lucky to still be conducting and alive at his age. I agree with him about Bernstein's sincerity and spontaneity as a conductor. Bernstein was also very friendly to the musicians and communicated well on the podium. I worked with Bernstein in the early 1980s and attended one of his conducting masterclasses at the LA Philharmonic Insitute Orchestra.
Every time I see a big figure like Maestro Blomstedt starts conducting sitting down, I feel a bit sad, because everyone knows their body is giving out; at the same time, I admire them that much more: for the craft, cause they set the bar to showing how far you can go or are willing to go if you are passionate enough about it. Live long and prosper Maestro Blomstedt. Thank you for sharing your amazing music.
Thanks for sharing your impressions with us and our community.
1:13 always by Blomstedt this sudden heat .... so warm and loving ....
I never thought I would come across a greater conductor than Karajan.... there are some I don't like... but I like Giulini, Haitink (RIP), Abbado, Walter, Bohm, Krips, and of course Blomstedt who feels and hears every phrase... indeed why would someone conduct with their mouth open if they were not singing out the music. He is a great man.
Absolutely the single most criminally underrated conductor of all time, IMO.
What a man. So incredible and sincere
He is great. I feel priveleged to have attended many concerts lead by him. It is always a highlight of the season.
Herbert Blomstedt pronounces the role of feelings that music evoke, just as the pop musician Robyn does, a generalistic view, and true. And our feelings influence our Health. Music is a powerful Health promotive factor, indeed. Blomstedt has given so much of Health promotion to us. He is a lovely ambassador for music . I have met him in Dresden, Leipzig and once when I arrived in San Francisco in 1985 the city was covered with announcements; Welcome to San Francisco Maestro Blomstedt.
Such a beautiful embroidered collar.
Фантастично, благодаря.
His cycle of Nielsen symphonies with the SFO is a masterpiece. And I am honored to have seen him conduct a Beethoven program with the Bamberg Sym. here in little old Nagoya, Japan. One of the best concerts ever for me.
Thank you so much for this.
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One of the most consistent conductors on record
Wow. He does not look 90. He is full of life, and I hope he keeps conducting for many years to come.
A Seventh-Day Adventist pastor's son, he's a life-long strict vegetarian, and has always abstained from alcohol or tobacco. Looks like it paid off!
unglaublich!
Absolutely amazing, more youthful than many of us at half of his age, I suppose true passion can keep us young for a very long time. These days when stress can easily bring us down, music like this can be a true balsam for the soul and the best medicine. I am so thankful for all the amazing music, opera and ballet, they keep me sane. Look at Maestro's full head of hair, it's the active, positive living with the purpose. I saw him conduct live many times when I had season tickets to SF Symphony in the late 80s-early 90s.
Who says you need a baton to conduct? Herbert s hands are like 2 batons !!!!
Best wishes for the New Year, 2022! Bravo, Maestro!🌹💐
Happy Birthday, Maestro! 🌹🌹🌹
I have seen him conduct at Tanglewood and hope to again!
Looking forward to going to an all-Beethoven concert conducted by Blomstedt at Blossom Music Center this summer!
Sublime merci ❤️
What a great head of hair!
Looks much younger. I love his Beethoven, Sibelius and Schubert cycles. Consistently excellent.
marvelous BEST
The Beethoven excerpts sound like SZELL.
Must be the Swedish blood in him that accounts for his incredible longevity
No wonder the graying of audiences and the lack of engagement with the youth.
Are you blind to how many players in these orchestras are young?