Italian conductor Claudio Abbado, one of the world's leading conductors, died today in Bologna. He was 80 years old.
Abbado was born in Milan on June 26, 1933, the son of a violin teacher and a pianist. In 1955 he graduated in piano, composition and conducting at the Conservatory of Milan. The first major recognition came in 1958, when it won the first place in the competition Koussevitsky at Tanglewood, Massachusetts: thanks to the award, he debuted in the United States with the New York Philharmonic. The following year he made his debut in Trieste as a symphonic conductor; his La Scala Theatre debut came in 1960.
Abbado served as music director of La Scala in Milan from 1968 to 1986, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Vienna State Opera, and principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra from 1989 to 2002. He was appointed senator for life in the Senate of Italy last year.
Abbado received numerous honors, including two Grammy awards. He promoted musical talent by founding youth orchestras, including the European Youth Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the Mozart Orchestra.
La Scala Music Director Daniel Barenboim, who knew Abbado since the 1950s, said of him: "Losing Claudio Abbado means we lose one of the greatest musicians of the last fifty years and one of the few to have had a close relationship with the spirit of music through all its different genres. Perhaps even more significant is, however, the support he has given to young musicians by founding many important youth orchestras. In doing this, he was a pioneer, working with young musicians, encouraging and supporting them throughout his career. He gave an example to the world as well, showing that young and inexperienced musicians can make music at the highest level when working with the right attitude and commitment. We owe him this, and much more."
Watch Abbado conduct the Berliner Philharmoniker during the concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7:
