Yakov Kreizberg (1959-2011)

[Brian]

The highly talented conductor has passed away after lengthy illness. Very, very sad news. He was only 51 years old and had made a series of excellent recordings for PentaTone (including a terrific Shostakovich 5/9, an album taking Strauss waltzes admirably seriously, and several great collaborations with Julia Fischer in Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Mozart) - besides his recent work as head of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is with deep sorrow that we must announce the passing of conductor Yakov Kreizberg on 15 March 2011. He died peacefully after a long illness – borne with great courage, fortitude and determination – at his home in Monte Carlo, surrounded by his wife and two sons. He was aged only 51.

Yakov Kreizberg was one of the most interesting and exciting conductors of his generation. He was widely sought-after by the world's leading orchestras, and held posts with the Theater Krefeld Mönchengladbach, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Komische Oper in Berlin and the Wiener Symphoniker.

At the time of his death he was the Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Netherlands Philharmonic and Netherlands Chamber Orchestras. He led them on many highly successful tours and leaves behind a number of great recordings.

He conducted his very last concert with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra on 14 February 2011 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The programme consisted of Glinka's Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.2 with soloist Alexander Sitkovetsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. 

http://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2011/03/conductor-yakov-kreizberg-1959-2011

[bhodges]

Oh no! This is very sad. I don't think I ever got to hear him live, either, and heard many glowing reports from friends who did. 

--Bruce

[Lethevich]

Wat? I wasn't aware he was having problems, so the title of this thread surprised me. He was a solid conductor who seemed to be well in command of the orchestras he directed, RIP.

[Florestan]

Watched him a few years ago on Mezzo in a terrific Mahler 1st with the NPO. Liked him a lot then lost track of him, only to hear this sad news now. 

RIP.

[bhodges]

Here is one of the concerts I was trying to recall--all the way back in 2001, with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kreizberg did the Shostakovich 11th Symphony, from memory. (Never mind that this reviewer didn't seem to be that impressed with the piece itself.)

Several people I know heard this concert and were talking about it for weeks afterward.

--Bruce

[Brian]

Here is one of the concerts I was trying to recall--all the way back in 2001, with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kreizberg did the Shostakovich 11th Symphony, from memory. (Never mind that this reviewer didn't seem to be that impressed with the piece itself.)

Several people I know heard this concert and were talking about it for weeks afterward.

--Bruce

Try his Fifth on NML/PentaTone: it's a strong brew. Final coda simply terrifying. Might listen to it tonight...

[Mirror Image]

This is sad news indeed. He was a young man. It's a shame he was taken from us so young.

[Scarpia]

Sad news, and I have a few of his recordings but had no idea he was ill.  Is it know what the long illness was?

[bhodges]

Try his Fifth on NML/PentaTone: it's a strong brew. Final coda simply terrifying. Might listen to it tonight...

Thanks, I definitely will. Love the piece, and the only reason I haven't gotten it yet is that I already have about ten recordings of it. But now I'm curious to hear his take.

Only 51...man...

--Bruce

[Todd]

Surprising and sad news indeed.  He conducted one of the best concerts I attended - Mahler 1 and LvB's C major concerto with Anderszewski at the piano.  51 is too young to go.

[Florestan]

Did you know he was Semyon Bychkov's younger brother? 

[Mirror Image]

Did you know he was Semyon Bychkov's younger brother? 

I read this too and it is surprising indeed.

[Coopmv]

I was shocked when I first saw the news.  After all, most of us are so used to the longevity most conductors have enjoyed over the years.

[Marc]

[....] Is it know what the long illness was?

No.
From what I've read about it, he remained silent about the nature of his disorder.

This is sad news indeed. He was a young man. It's a shame he was taken from us so young.

Indeed.
He was a well-respected conductor in the Netherlands, both with the audience and his fellow musicians.
I personally liked his cooperation with Julia Fischer for PentaTone, in several Violin Concertos.

May he rest in peace.