Global pianist Ashkenazy retires January 19 5:06
Vladimir Ashkenazi, the world-renowned pianist and conductor of various orchestras and conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, has announced that he will retire.
Vladimir Ashkenazi is an 82-year-old former Soviet. She is a global pianist who has won high praise in numerous competitions, including winning the Tchaikovsky International Competition.
He was also a conductor, leading the Berlin-German Symphony Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. For three years since 2004 he was also the music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
Ashkenazi's office released a statement on its website yesterday, stating that "Ashkenazi has decided to retire from public music."
No detailed reason for retirement was given.
After finishing his term as music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Ashkenazy continued his activities in Japan, including holding charity concerts in hopes of rebuilding the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
However, the performance in Japan scheduled for May last year was canceled due to a malfunction in the right hand.
Regarding Ashkenazi's retirement, the NHK Symphony Orchestra commented, "Many performances with Maestro Ashkenazi must be long in our memory."