Boston Symphony Music Director passes away at 88

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The Boston Symphony Orchestra announced on Tuesday the death of Music Director Laureate, Seiji Ozawa.

Longest-serving conductor Maestro Ozawa, 88, died Feb. 6 in Tokyo — holding the title of Music Director for 29 years.

The BSO will be honoring the Maestro in a performance at Symphony Hall today at 1:15 p.m. by guest conductor Karina Canellakis.

The BSO shared that Maestro Ozawa had many successes in his career before he joined the Boston Symphony in 1973, ultimately bringing the BSO into a “global era”.

Over the course of his career with the BSO, he championed some of the most important composers of the late 20th century, commissioned 44 compositions, and won two Emmy Awards.

Other major highlights of Maestro Ozawa’s career include his 1979 tour to China, the opening of Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood in his honor, and his performance of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” at the opening of the 1988 Olympics.

The BSO shared on social media their announcement of Maestro Ozawa’s passing, giving their gratitude for his contributions to the Orchestra.