Herbert Blomstedt Withdraws from Bamberger Symphoniker Appearances, Citing Ill Health

With pianist Maria João Pires also unwell, the concerts will now feature Giuseppe Mengoli and Francesco Piemontesi

The 96-year-old Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt has withdrawn from two planned appearances with Germany's Bamberger Symphoniker on account of ill health. He will be replaced by the winner of last year's Mahler Conducting Competition, Giuseppe Mengoli.

Pianist Maria João Pires has sadly also had to withdraw from the concerts because of illness, and she will be replaced by the Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi.

The program will feature Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mozart's Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter."

One of the most prominent and respected conductors still working, Herbert Blomstedt was born in 1927 and remains active today. He is currently the Honorary Conductor of the Bamberger Symphoniker.

Blomstedt has served principal positions with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Danish Radio Symphony, Swedish Radio Symphony, Dresdner Staatskapelle, San Francisco Symphony, North German Radio Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Bamberg Symphony, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

He is particularly lauded for his interpretations of Austro-German and Scandinavian repertoire — from Beethoven and Bruckner to Grieg and Nielsen.