Any Thoughts on Seiji Ozawa?

[JSngry]

I noticed the fuss in the late 60s/early 70s but didn't follow that music then.

With his recent passing, the better obits make mention of his contributions and some of the controversies about his conducting.

Anybody here have any thoughts? 

[Chuck Nessa]

Conductor Ilan Volkov posted this memory on FB -

"I worked as assistant with Boston Symphony between 1998-2001.The last few years of Seijo Ozawa's time there.I learnt tons and witnessed many many rehearsals and concerts.I still remember how he came to a first rehearsal of Peter Lieberson piano concerto(Peter Serkin soloist) and knew it by heart(I think he just learnt it a few hours before,used his famous photographic memory).And did fantastic rehearsals and concerts.Just one example out of many unforgettable concerts(especially impressive were performances of Takemitsu, Lutoslawski,Dutilleux and Messaien).

RIP Seiji Ozawa"

[Hoppy T. Frog]

I always had the impression he was in the "good, not great" category.