Restless Seiji Ozawa returns from burnout

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2006

MATSUMOTO, Japan (AFP) — The Saito Kinen Orchestra attacks Mahler's Fifth Symphony under the baton of American Alan Gilbert. In a discreet corner, with a mane of white hair, recuperating Japanese legend Seiji Ozawa casts a keen eye on his musicians. "Thank God, I am completely rested," said Ozawa, taking part as he has each year in the Saito Kinen Festival he established in 1992 in the Japanese Alps.

"I feel very good, but I have to be careful." Ozawa, who turned 71 on Friday, is rediscovering his legendary energy after a major bout of burnout that forced him in January to cancel all engagements at the Vienna State Opera, where he is musical director, until spring 2007. "My biggest problem was that when I became 70 years old last year I kept exactly the same schedule as a...