Japanese conductor Ozawa cancels engagements with Vienna Philharmonic to recover from cancer

Ozawa cancels engagements with Vienna Philharmonic

VIENNA — The Vienna Philharmonic says Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has canceled his fall engagements with the renowned orchestra in October and November to recover from cancer.

Ozawa, an icon in the classical music world, announced in January that he has esophageal cancer and called off all his concerts between January and June to receive treatment.

Philharmonic spokeswoman Yvonne Katzenberger said Friday that Ozawa is following his doctors’ recommendations regarding the fall engagements. She said the concerts in question — slated for Vienna, the Vatican, China and Japan — will take place with another conductor.

Philharmonic Chairman Clemens Hellsberg wished Ozawa well and says the orchestra respects and supports his decision.

In Tokyo, the Kyodo news agency reported that Ozawa also has canceled an opera engagement in Japan in August. However, it said he will serve as conductor for the Saito Kinen Orchestra as planned for four days in early September.