I had the good fortune to sing with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus during part of Seiji's long and fruitful tenure with the BSO. Berlioz was certainly one of his specialties. He was a phenomenal conductor and I will cherish the memories I had of singing under his direction. RIP dear Seiji, and ave, atque, vale.
Ozawa's conducting style will never be seen again. Indeed, the cessation of the maestro's conducting style heralds the conclusion of a distinctive musical epoch. His baton, which once sculpted the air with the precision of an artisan, will no longer cast its spell upon the orchestral ensemble. This realization instills a melancholic contemplation, as the silence supplants the erstwhile vibrant command of rhythm and harmony. Yet, in the annals of musical heritage, his influence persists, immortalized through the indelible impressions left upon both aficionados and proteges alike. It is within this enduring legacy that the maestro's artistry continues to resonate, transcending the temporal confines of his active tenure.
