The conductor enjoyed a career which spanned seven decades and took him across the globe.
Lorin Maazel, the famed American conductor and composer has died aged 84, as a result of complications following pneumonia. His passing was announced by the website of the Castleton Festival, which Maazel and his wife founded in 2009.
Lorin Maazel photographed in 2006 - photo: Getty/Quim Llenas
Born in France, but raised in America, Maazel took his first violin lesson at aged five. By the time he was seven the child prodigy had begun conducting, making his debut a year later. Between the ages of nine and 15, Maazel had conducted many of the major American orchestras, including guest conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra on the radio.
Over the next seven decades, Maazel’s extraordinary career would see him conduct more than 150 orchestras in no fewer than 5,000 opera and concert performances.
He would also hold many of the most prestigious posts in the classical world, including Artistic Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, General Manager of the Vienna State Opera and Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, a position which would see him make an unprecedented visit to North Korea in 2008 to perform a concert broadcast on state television and internationally.
Alongside his reputation as a conduction, Maazel was also a highly regarded composer. His first opera ‘1984’, was based on George Orwell’s novel of the same name and premiered at the Royal Opera House in London.
More: With Seven Decades Conducting Across The Globe, Lorin Maazel Left His Mark On Classical Music
In 2009 Maazel and his wife, Dietlinde Turban Maazel, founded the Castleton Festival which was held every year at the couple’s Virginia farm. The festival looked to nurture young musicians through mentoring and performing, while showcasing their talents alongside established stars.
Throughout his career, Maazel had a reputation for being difficult to work with, however he was thought to have mellowed in his later years through his work at Castleton.
In a 2011 interview he remarked, “There are only two ways of growing older. You can get more and more wrapped up in yourself, bitter and turned inward, or more mellow.” Adding, “the children I had whom I love challenged me to get out of my own shell. It takes life experience to shake us up.” Maazel is survived by his wife Dietlinde along with his seven children and four grandchildren.
Farewell Maestro, @MaestroMaazel. You have been one of the greatest influences in my career. With love, Andrew. pic.twitter.com/fgUyMSu7tP
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) July 14, 2014
On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...