Herbert Blomstedt, Who Headed San Francisco Symphony From 1985-95, Dies at Age 99
The American-born Swedish conductor led major orchestras for decades and remained active into his late 90s despite health setbacks.
- On Wednesday, American-born Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt died at his home in Gothenburg, Sweden, at age 98 after leading major orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony for 10 years.
- A devout Seventh-day Adventist, Blomstedt refused to rehearse on Saturdays—a principled stance he admitted cost him jobs—yet led the Staatskapelle Dresden and Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, viewing music as an ethical force.
- Critic Martin Kettle wrote that his conducting "radiates both flow and glow," while critic Kosman described his approach as "too rational and cautious," though Blomstedt recorded all nine Beethoven symphonies twice.
- Despite health setbacks including falls in 2022 and 2023, Blomstedt remained active until this year; the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra must now cancel upcoming concerts planned for his 100th birthday next July.
- Rejecting retirement, Blomstedt told CBS News Sunday Morning, "Without work, I don't live. If I just twiddle my thumbs, that is not living," embodying a lifelong commitment that defined his legacy.
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77 Articles
Algemeen Dagblad
destentor.nlSwedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt has died at the age of 99, reports the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. The US-born conductor was associated with the concert hall for a long time, in recent years in the symbolic role of 'honorary conductor'.
He influenced orchestras in Germany, Europe and the USA: conductor Herbert Blomstedt became known as an exceptional talent. Now he died at the age of 99.
Blomstedt, who spent his childhood in Finland, often visited to conduct the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
berlingske.dk
Herbert Blomstedt, who became the first chief conductor of the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1967, has passed away at the age of 99.
Ekstra Bladet
NettavisenHerbert Blomstedt, who became the first chief conductor of the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1967, has passed away at the age of 99.
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