Claudio Abbado RIP

[Stavros]

The Italian conductor, Claudio Abbado has died at the age of 80. He was one of the finest conductors of the last half century and I was lucky enough to see him conduct the La Scala opera company on its visit to London when he was its musical director, and also concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra, notably a thrilling Mahler 6. He did a lot to promote the development of young musicians and was completely unlike the stereotypical hysterical Italian conductor being a thoughtful, introspective musician whose interest was in tempi, form and expression -among my many treasured recordings his complete cycle of the Beethoven symphonies steers a path through the conventional and the 'authentic music' arguments and discovers new delights throughout. Just one clip can suffice -this exquisite performance of Mahler's song from the Rucket Lieder, sing by Magdalena Kozena (currently Mrs Rattle). He had a wonderful life and produced the most wonderful music.

Mahler - Rückert-Lieder : Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen | Claudio Abbado | Lucerne 2009 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzJyIWxjX9o&list=PLIAKcaJwa7xGdjnQBs09Sb9VmqQODbHQ9)

[Prospero]

I agree with you Stavros. A wonderful conductor. RIP...

[Ananke]

Thank you for the clip, Stavros.
Just superb.

[robertlouis]

Thanks Stavros. Agree entirely. His masterful version of Mahler's finest symphony, imo, the Ninth, reduces me to tears every time. The emotion is almost palpable.