(Chicago Tribune) John Von Rhein - Zubin Mehta first led the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 1961 when he was 25 years old. He was named the IPO's first music director in 1977 and music director for life in 1981. What he calls their "lasting marriage" of 46 years (and counting) has no real equal on today's world symphonic stage. He says conducting the philharmonic is "something I do for my heart." He recalls the day in 1967, at the outset of the Six-Day War, when he hopped the last plane to Israel before the closing of Tel Aviv airport, to demonstrate solidarity with the people of his adopted nation. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War he conducted special concerts dedicated to soldiers in the field.
2014-03-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive