In a separate statement from the orchestra, they praised Ozawa’s “enthusiasm for the city and people of Boston, Tanglewood – and the Boston Red Sox!” Remembered that. Marin Alsop, one of the few renowned female conductors, said that Ozawa was a “great mentor” to her at Tanglewood.
BSO chief executive Chad Smith called Ozawa “a force of nature on and off the stage.” “He was a musical genius who combined balletic grace on the podium with an amazing memory,” Smith said in a statement.
In-demand opera soprano Christine Goerke said that “the opportunity to make music and experience such joy and belly-aching laughter with this extraordinary human being has been one of the greatest gifts of my life”.
“I have tears in my eyes this morning, but I’m extremely grateful for you, Seiji Ozawa. Safe home, Maestro, and thank you,” Goerke wrote on X.
