Seiji Ozawa, a Grammy-winning artist, died on February 6th at the age of 88 years. The Japanese conductor’s cause of death is said to be heart failure. His family held a funeral, and a memorial service has been planned by the end of this month. Ozawa passed away at his Tokyo home, and his team released a statement mentioning the same.
Ozawa was a musical genius and the longest-serving conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In his tribute to the artist, current BSO conductor Andris Nelsons took to X to write, a great friend, a brilliant role model, and an exemplary musician and leader. He has been an inspiration to me all my life, and I will miss him dearly."
Seiji Ozawa’s Early Life
Seiji Ozawa was born in China in 1935. The musician started his career as an assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic and later went on to become the director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, Ozawa was appointed as the first Asian music director of Wiener Staatsoper. In 2010, the artist became the 13th music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 
Apart from this, Ozawa was honored with tons of awards, including the Asahi Prize (1985), the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class (2002), the Mainichi Art Award (2003), the Suntory Music Award (2003), honorary membership of the Wiener Staatsoper (2007), France’s Officier de la Légion d’Honneur (2008), Foreign Associated Member in the Académie des BeauxArts de l’Institut de France (2008), the Order of Culture in Japan (2008), Giglio D’Oro by the Premio Galileo 2000 Foundation of Italy (2008), the Praemium Imperiale from the Japan Art Association (2011), and many more.
Fans Mourn The Death Of Seiji Ozawa
Seiji Ozawa impacted many lives. His well-wishers and fans took to X to mourn the death of a great musician. The Vienna Philharmonic, with which Ozawa worked in his initial days, released a statement with the words, "It was a gift to be able to go a long way with this artist, who was characterized by the highest musical standards and, at the same time, humility towards the treasures of musical culture.”
Opera singer, Christine Goerki, said in a statement, "I am in tears this morning, but I am beyond grateful for you, Seiji Ozawa. Safe home, Maestro, and thank you."
