1. Early life and education
Zubin Mehta's formative years were deeply rooted in a musical family environment in India, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career. His education in Vienna further honed his skills, connecting him with future luminaries of classical music.
1.1. Birth and Family
Zubin Mehta was born on 29 April 1936, into a Parsi family in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, during the British Raj. He is the elder son of Mehli Mehta (1908-2002) and Tehmina (Daruvala) Mehta. His native language is Gujarati. His father, Mehli Mehta, was a self-taught violinist who founded and conducted the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Mehli Mehta later moved to Los Angeles, where he conducted the American Youth Symphony for 33 years. Before returning to Bombay as an accomplished violinist of the Russian school, his father had studied in New York with the noted violinist teacher Ivan Galamian, who also taught Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman.
1.2. Childhood and Early Musical Experiences
Mehta has described his childhood as being constantly surrounded by music at home, noting that he likely learned to speak Gujarati and sing around the same time. His father had a strong influence on him, and Zubin would listen to his quartet daily after his father returned from the United States following the Second World War. Mehta was first taught to play violin and piano by his father. By his early teens, his father allowed him to lead sectional rehearsals of the Bombay Symphony, and at the age of sixteen, he was already conducting the full orchestra during rehearsals.
1.3. Education
Mehta graduated from St. Mary's School, Mumbai and initially pursued medicine at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, a path his mother encouraged, viewing it as a more "respectable" profession than music. However, at the age of eighteen, after two years of medical studies, he dropped out to move to Vienna, a prominent European music center. There, he enrolled in the state music academy to study music under the renowned conducting teacher Hans Swarowsky. During his time in Vienna, he lived on 75 USD per month and was a contemporary of future conductors Claudio Abbado and Daniel Barenboim, with whom he forged lasting friendships. In the summer of 1956, he, Abbado, and Barenboim also participated in Carlo Zecchi's conducting class.
Mehta remained at the academy for three years, during which he also studied the double bass, playing it in the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. Swarowsky quickly recognized Mehta's exceptional abilities, describing him as a "demoniac conductor" who "had it all." While still a student, following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Mehta organized a student orchestra in just seven days and conducted a concert at a refugee camp outside Vienna, demonstrating his early commitment to humanitarian causes through music. He graduated in 1957 at the age of 21 with a diploma in conducting.
2. Conducting Career
Zubin Mehta's conducting career is marked by his leadership of some of the world's most prestigious orchestras and a series of groundbreaking performances that have left an indelible mark on classical music.
2.1. Early Career and International Debut
In 1958, Mehta made his conducting debut in Vienna. That same year, he entered the Liverpool International Conductor's Competition, competing against 100 contestants, and won first prize. This victory secured him a year's contract as associate conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, where he conducted 14 concerts, all of which received rave reviews. He also earned a third-place prize at the summer academy at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts, where he caught the attention of Charles Munch, then conductor of the Boston Symphony, who later aided his career. In 1958, Mehta boldly programmed an all-Schoenberg concert, which was so successful that it led to further engagements. Also in 1959, he made highly successful debuts with the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout 1960 and 1961, Mehta was frequently invited to substitute for celebrated maestros worldwide, consistently earning high critical acclaim. In 1960, he conducted a series for the Vienna Symphony and later that summer made his New York conducting debut leading the New York Philharmonic.
2.2. Montreal Symphony Orchestra
With the assistance of Charles Munch, Mehta was appointed chief conductor and Music Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 1960, a position he held until 1967. In 1962, he led the Montreal Symphony on a concert tour that included stops in Russia, Paris, and Vienna. His concert in Vienna, considered the "capital of Western music," was particularly notable, receiving a 20-minute ovation, 14 curtain calls, and two encores. By May 1967, his increasingly demanding schedule led him to resign from his Montreal post.
2.3. Los Angeles Philharmonic
In 1961, Mehta was named assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LAP). This appointment, made without consulting the orchestra's music director designate, Georg Solti, led to Solti's resignation in protest. The orchestra had been without a permanent conductor for four years when Mehta began directing it. Mehta was subsequently named Music Director of the LAP, a post he held from 1962 to 1978. At 26, he was the youngest person ever to hold that title for any major North American orchestra. During his early years, he simultaneously directed both the Montreal Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, becoming the first person to lead two North American symphony orchestras at the same time.
As the LAP's first permanent conductor in four years, Mehta dedicated himself to refining the orchestra's overall sound, aiming for a quality closer to that of the Vienna Philharmonic. He succeeded in making its sound warmer and richer by fostering healthy competition among the musicians, adjusting assignments, granting promotions, and reconfiguring seating arrangements. His leadership deeply inspired the musicians; cellist Jacqueline du Pré, then 21, famously remarked that "He provides a magic carpet for you to float on." Cellist Kurt Reher recalled Mehta's first rehearsal, stating that "within two beats we were entranced. It seemed this young man had the ability, the musical knowledge of a man of 50 or 55."
In 1965, after Mehta's debut with the Metropolitan Opera's performance of Aida, music critic Alan Rich wrote, "Mehta brought to the conducting of the score a kind of bedazzlement that has no peer in recent times ... It was a lunging, teeming, breathless performance that still had plenty of breath." He subsequently conducted the Met in performances of Carmen, Tosca, and Turandot.
In 1967, Mehta conducted both the Montreal and Los Angeles orchestras together for a performance of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique at Montreal's Expo 67. That same year, he conducted the world premiere of Marvin David Levy's Mourning Becomes Electra. In the fall of 1967, he led the 107-member Los Angeles Philharmonic on an eight-week tour that included engagements in Vienna, Paris, Athens, and Bombay. By 1968, his popularity kept his schedule even busier than the year before, including 22 weeks of concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, three operas at the Metropolitan Opera, television appearances in the U.S. and Italy, five recording sessions, and guest appearances at five festivals and with five orchestras. Time magazine put him on its cover in January 1968. In 1969 his schedule remained equally active. In 1970, Mehta collaborated with Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, performing Zappa's "200 Motels" and Edgar Varèse's Intégrales at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion basketball stadium before an audience of 12,000. In January 2019, the Los Angeles Philharmonic named Mehta as their Conductor Emeritus.
2.4. New York Philharmonic
In 1978, Mehta became the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the New York Philharmonic (NYP), a position he held until his resignation in 1991, marking the longest tenure for a music director in the orchestra's history. One of his motivations for directing the NYP was the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, such as taking the orchestra to Harlem, where they performed annually at the Abyssinian Baptist Church. During his tenure, the orchestra was often accompanied by renowned soloists such as Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, and Kathleen Battle. In 1984, Mehta led the New York Philharmonic on a tour of India, including a performance in Mumbai.
2.5. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta's relationship with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) has been exceptionally profound and enduring, spanning over five decades. He made his first guest appearances with the IPO in 1961 and toured with the orchestra in 1966. Notably, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, he rushed back to Israel to conduct several special concerts, demonstrating solidarity with its people. He was appointed the IPO's Music Advisor in 1969, its Music Director in 1977, and was made its Music Director for Life in 1981.
Throughout his long connection with the IPO, he has conducted it in thousands of concerts both in Israel and internationally. In 1982, he conducted concerts with the IPO in South Lebanon, an event so moving that Arabs reportedly rushed onstage to embrace the musicians. He also conducted the orchestra during the Gulf War in 1991, when audience members brought gas masks to the performance. In 2007, the IPO, under Mehta's baton, performed for an entirely Arab audience in Nazareth. Mehta has expressed a deep kinship with Israel's musicians and the spirit and tradition of the Jewish people, stating that conducting the IPO is "something I do for my heart." Reflecting on the 1982 concert, he expressed his hope: "How I would love to see that sight again today, of Arabs and Jews hugging each other. I'm a positive thinker. I know this day will come."
In November and December 1994, he toured India, including Mumbai, with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring soloists Itzhak Perlman and Gil Shaham. In December 2016, the Israel Philharmonic announced that Mehta would conclude his tenure as music director in October 2019. He now holds the title of music director emeritus of the Israel Philharmonic. In 2011, a performance by Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at The Proms in London was picketed and interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters, leading the BBC to halt the live radio relay of the concert, an unprecedented incident in Proms history. In 2016, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed two concerts conducted by Mehta as part of the 33rd Harbin Summer Music Festival at Harbin Concert Hall.
2.6. Other Major Orchestras and Opera Houses
Beyond his primary tenures, Zubin Mehta has held significant positions and made notable guest appearances with many of the world's leading musical institutions. From 1985 to 2017, he served as chief conductor of the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence. From 1998 until 2006, he was music director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. The Munich Philharmonic named him its Honorary Conductor. Since 2005, Mehta has been a main conductor of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the new opera house within the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencia, Spain.
In 1965, Mehta made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in a performance of Aida. Music critic Alan Rich lauded his conducting, writing that Mehta "brought to the conducting of the score a kind of bedazzlement that has no peer in recent times... It was a lunging, teeming, breathless performance that still had plenty of breath." He subsequently conducted the Met in productions of Carmen, Tosca, and Turandot.
Mehta is an honorary citizen of both Florence and Tel Aviv. He was made an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera in 1997. In 2001, he was bestowed the title of "Honorary Conductor" of the Vienna Philharmonic, and in 2004, the Munich Philharmonic awarded him the same title. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino also granted him the title of Honorary Conductor in 2006. At the conclusion of his tenure with the Bavarian State Opera, he was named Honorary Conductor of the Bavarian State Orchestra and Honorary Member of the Bavarian State Opera. In November 2007, the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Wien, appointed him an honorary member. In February 2019, the Berlin Philharmonic made Mehta an honorary member in recognition of their long association. Mehta has conducted the prestigious Vienna New Year's Concert five times (in 1990, 1995, 1998, 2007, and 2015), making him the most frequent conductor in the alternating system. His first appearance with the Vienna Philharmonic was at the Salzburg Festival in 1962.
2.7. Notable Performances and Collaborations
Mehta's career is punctuated by numerous landmark performances and collaborations that often transcended the purely musical, carrying significant cultural and humanitarian weight. In 1990, he conducted the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma in the first-ever Three Tenors concert in Rome, a global phenomenon. He reunited with the tenors in 1994 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. In 1992, he conducted a historic production of Tosca where each act was performed and telecast live from its actual setting and at the specified time in the score: Act I from Rome's Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle, Act II from the Palazzo Farnese, and Act III from the Castel Sant'Angelo. This production starred Catherine Malfitano in the title role, Plácido Domingo as Cavaradossi, and Ruggero Raimondi as Baron Scarpia.
In June 1994, Mehta led a performance of the Mozart Requiem with members of the Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the ruins of Sarajevo's National Library. This concert served as a fundraiser for the victims of the Yugoslav Wars and a remembrance for the thousands killed. On 29 August 1999, he conducted Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) near the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, with the Bavarian State Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performing side-by-side, a powerful symbol of reconciliation.
Between 1997 and 1998, Mehta collaborated with Chinese film director Zhang Yimou on a production of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, which they brought to Florence and then to Beijing. The Beijing staging was particularly grand, taking place in the actual surroundings of the Forbidden City, featuring over 300 extras and 300 soldiers for nine historic performances. The creation of this unique production was chronicled in the documentary The Turandot Project, which Mehta himself narrated.
While serving as conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Mehta commissioned Ravi Shankar's Concerto No. 2 for sitar and orchestra. After its New York premieres, the concerto was later recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Mehta shared a close friendship with Ravi Shankar, whom he first met in the 1960s when he conducted Shankar with the Montreal Symphony. Their friendship continued when they both resided in Los Angeles and later in New York. Mehta also served as a guest conductor for the American Russian Young Artists Orchestra.
On 26 December 2005, the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, Mehta and the Bavarian State Orchestra performed for the first time in Chennai (formerly Madras) at the Madras Music Academy. This tsunami memorial concert was organized by the German consulate in Chennai in collaboration with the Max-Mueller Bhavan/Goethe-Institut. In 2006, he concluded his tenure with the Bavarian State Orchestra. In September 2013, Mehta appeared with the Bavarian State Orchestra at a special concert titled Ehsaas e Kashmir, organized by the German Embassy in India, held at Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. Both Mehta and the orchestra notably renounced their usual fees for this performance. In October 2015, he returned to Chennai to perform with the Australian World Orchestra (AWO) at the Madras Music Academy. In August 2022, Mehta conducted the AWO in Sydney and Melbourne, and also led the orchestra at the Edinburgh International Festival and the BBC Proms 2022.
Mehta has a long-standing relationship with Japan, having visited frequently since his first tour in 1969 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He made his first guest appearance with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra in 1969, and a second in 1977, conducting works by Wagner, Schoenberg, and Beethoven. In 1984, he toured Japan with the New York Philharmonic, performing works by Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, and Dvořák at Osaka-jo Hall. In 2003, he toured Japan with the Israel Philharmonic, conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 6 (Tragic). The performance at the Tokyo Cultural Hall was dedicated, at Mehta's request, to two Japanese diplomats who had been killed in Tikrit, Iraq. He returned to Japan with the Vienna Philharmonic in 2009 and the Israel Philharmonic in 2010. In March 2011, while leading the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino on a tour of Japan, he experienced the Tōhoku earthquake. Although he conducted Tosca in Yokohama and La forza del destino in Tokyo, the remainder of the tour was cancelled mid-schedule due to concerns from the Florence mayor regarding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Mehta expressed his deep sadness at not being able to perform more for his Japanese friends, stating tearfully that he believed "the moment will definitely come when we can encourage people with the power of music." On 10 April 2011, amidst cancellations by many foreign conductors, Mehta conducted Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Tokyo Spring Music Festival with the NHK Symphony Orchestra. This was a charity concert for earthquake victims, with all proceeds donated. The performance, which followed a speech by Mehta, a moment of silence, and a rendition of J.S. Bach's Air on the G String, received a passionate standing ovation. In November 2019, he conducted the Berlin Philharmonic on a tour of Japan.
3. Musical Style and Cultural Impact
Zubin Mehta's musical style is characterized by his dynamic and often flamboyant approach, particularly in the interpretation of large-scale symphonic works. Early in his career, he garnered significant praise for his powerful and spirited renditions of pieces by composers such as Anton Bruckner, Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Franz Schmidt. His ability to command an orchestra with seemingly simple gestures, yet achieve immediate and perceptible effects, was noted by critics like Winthrop Sargeant, who described his rare talent for conveying a mood of "serenity, or of serene grandeur" to both musicians and audiences. He also inspired his musicians, with cellist Jacqueline du Pré noting that he provided a "magic carpet" for them to perform on.
Beyond his technical prowess, Mehta has made a significant cultural impact through his commitment to using music as a tool for unity and understanding. His enduring relationship with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, particularly his decision to rush back to Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War to conduct solidarity concerts and his performances during the 1991 Gulf War, underscore his dedication to the people of Israel and his belief in music's power to transcend conflict. His concert in South Lebanon in 1982, which saw Arabs embracing the musicians, and his performance for an entirely Arab audience in Nazareth in 2007 further exemplify his efforts to bridge divides through art.
Mehta's collaborations, such as commissioning and recording Ravi Shankar's sitar concerto, demonstrate his openness to cross-cultural artistic exchange. His initiatives to bring classical music to diverse communities, like taking the New York Philharmonic to Harlem, reflect his commitment to broader accessibility. The humanitarian significance of his performances, including the Mozart Requiem in war-torn Sarajevo and Mahler's Second Symphony near the former Buchenwald concentration camp, highlight his use of music for remembrance, healing, and peace-building. His decision to renounce fees for the Ehsaas e Kashmir concert and his dedication of a concert to Japanese diplomats after a tragic incident further illustrate his profound empathy and humanitarian spirit. Through these actions, Mehta has consistently demonstrated that music can be a powerful force for cultural diplomacy and societal harmony on a global scale.
4. Personal Life
Zubin Mehta's personal life has seen significant relationships and family connections that have shaped his journey alongside his demanding musical career.
4.1. Marriage and Children
Mehta's first marriage was in 1958 to Canadian soprano Carmen Lasky, whom he met in Vienna. Together, they had a son, Mervon, and a daughter, Zarina. Mervon has followed a path in arts administration and, since April 2009, has served as the Executive Director of Performing Arts for The Royal Conservatory in Toronto. Mehta and Lasky divorced in 1964. Two years after their divorce, Carmen married Mehta's brother, Zarin Mehta, who was formerly the Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. In July 1969, Mehta married his second wife, Nancy Kovack, an American former film and television actress. His second daughter, Alexandra, was born in Los Angeles in 1967. In the 1990s, a son named Ori was born in Israel as a result of an extra-marital affair during Mehta's second marriage.
4.2. Family and Relationships
While a permanent resident of the United States, Zubin Mehta has retained his Indian citizenship. His brother, Zarin Mehta, has also had a distinguished career in music administration, including his tenure as Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. Zubin Mehta shared a close friendship with Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. They first met in the 1960s when Mehta conducted Shankar with the Montreal Symphony. Their friendship deepened and continued after both were living in Los Angeles and later in New York, with Shankar remarking that "This was a wonderful period in my life and Zubin and I really had a great time." Zubin and Zarin Mehta both serve on the Advisor Council of the Mehli Mehta Foundation, which honors their father's legacy.
5. Honors and Awards
Zubin Mehta has received numerous prestigious honors, awards, and honorary titles from around the world, recognizing his immense contributions to music and cultural diplomacy.
- In 1965, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University).
- His name was famously mentioned in the song "Billy the Mountain" on the 1972 album Just Another Band from L.A. by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention.
- At the Israel Prize ceremony in 1991, Mehta received a special prize acknowledging his unique devotion to Israel and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
- In 1995, he became a Laureate of the Wolf Prize in Arts.
- In 1999, the United Nations presented him with the "Lifetime Achievement Peace and Tolerance Award."
- The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2001.
- In September 2006, the Kennedy Center announced Mehta as a recipient of that year's Kennedy Center Honors, which were presented on 3 December 2006.

- In February 2007, he received the Second Annual Bridgebuilder Award at Loyola Marymount University.
- Also in 2007, Mehta was awarded the prestigious Dan David Prize. Conductor Karl Böhm presented him with the Nikisch Ring, the Vienna Philharmonic Ring of Honor.
- In October 2008, he received the Praemium Imperiale (World Culture Prize in Memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu) from Japan.
- On 1 March 2011, Mehta was honored with the 2,434th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In October 2011, he received the Echo Klassik in Berlin for his life's work.
- In September 2013, President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented him with the Tagore Award 2013 for his outstanding contribution to cultural harmony.
- In January 2019, the Los Angeles Philharmonic named Mehta as their Conductor Emeritus.
- In February 2019, the Berlin Philharmonic made Mehta an honorary member in gratitude for their long association.
- In September 2019, President of Slovenia Borut Pahor conferred the Golden Order of Merit on Zubin Mehta for his contribution to music and his inspiring efforts to connect people and nations through art.
- In November 2020, the World Jewish Congress presented Mehta with their fifth Teddy Kollek Award for the Advancement of Jewish Culture.
- In September 2022, he was appointed an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia by the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley, in recognition of his eminent service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship and humanity at large, particularly in the fields of classical music and philanthropy.
Mehta is an honorary citizen of both Florence and Tel Aviv. He was made an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera in 1997. In 2001, he was bestowed the title of "Honorary Conductor" of the Vienna Philharmonic, and in 2004, the Munich Philharmonic awarded him the same title. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino also granted him the title of Honorary Conductor in 2006. At the end of his tenure with the Bavarian State Opera, he was named Honorary Conductor of the Bavarian State Orchestra and Honorary Member of the Bavarian State Opera. The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Wien, appointed him an honorary member in November 2007.
6. Films and Media
Zubin Mehta's life and career have been documented in various films and media, showcasing his musical genius and personal journey.

- Mehta's life was chronicled in Terry Sanders's 1968 film Portrait of Zubin Mehta.
- The documentary Zubin and I was produced by the grandson of an Israeli harpist who played with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra before Mehta took the helm. The filmmaker joins the orchestra on a tour of Mumbai and conducts two interviews with Mehta, one in India and one in Tel Aviv.
- In Christopher Nupen's 1969 documentary The Trout, which captures a performance of Schubert's Trout Quintet in London, Mehta plays the double bass alongside Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, and Itzhak Perlman.
- Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic are featured in Alan Miller's 1973 film The Bolero.
- He was mentioned in Sidney Sheldon's 1982 novel Master of the Game.
- Mehta played himself as the pivotal figure in On Wings of Fire, a 1986 film that explores the history of Zoroastrianism and the prophet Zarathushtra.
- Zubin Mehta: In Rehearsal (1996) depicts Mehta rehearsing Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks with the Israel Philharmonic.
- Mehta and his Israel Philharmonic Orchestra are central to the 2017 Spanish film documentary Dancing Beethoven, which chronicles the preparation of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The film was nominated for Best Documentary Film at both the 32nd Goya Awards and the XXIII Premio Cinematográfico José María Forqué.
- A 2008 release by Unitel Classica/Medici Arts features Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in performances of Mozart's Bassoon Concerto, Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, and three pieces by Dvořák, including his 8th Symphony. These performances were filmed in January 1977.
7. Educational Projects
Zubin Mehta has actively engaged in music education and community outreach initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing future generations of musicians and expanding access to classical music.
- In 2009, Mehta established Mifneh (מפנהchangeHebrew), a music education program specifically designed for Israeli Arabs. This initiative was launched in cooperation with Bank Leumi and the Arab-Israel Bank. As a pilot project, three schools in Shfaram, the Jezreel Valley, and Nazareth participated.
- He and his brother, Zarin Mehta, serve on the Advisor Council of the Mehli Mehta Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting music education and honoring their father's legacy.
- In 2005, Mehta, alongside philanthropist Josef Buchmann, co-founded the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music. This institution was established as a partnership between Tel Aviv University and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Mehta serves as the school's honorary president and has maintained active involvement since its inception, contributing to its mission of training young musicians.
8. Legacy and Evaluation
Zubin Mehta's legacy is defined by his extraordinary musical talent, his pioneering leadership roles, and his deep commitment to humanitarian causes, though his career has not been without its challenges.
8.1. Positive Evaluation
Mehta has garnered widespread critical acclaim throughout his career for his profound contributions to classical music. He is particularly praised for his dynamic interpretations of large-scale symphonic works by composers such as Anton Bruckner, Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Franz Schmidt. Critics have noted his remarkable ability to control every sound produced by an orchestra with the simplest of gestures, creating an immediate and perceptible effect. His talent for conveying a mood of serenity and grandeur to both musicians and audiences is considered rare among conductors of his generation. Musicians themselves have attested to his inspiring presence, with cellist Jacqueline du Pré famously stating that he provided a "magic carpet" for them to float on.
His leadership tenures, particularly his record-setting period with the New York Philharmonic and his lifelong commitment to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, underscore his significant influence on these institutions. Mehta's efforts to expand the reach of classical music, such as taking the New York Philharmonic to Harlem, demonstrate his dedication to making music accessible to diverse audiences. Beyond the stage, his humanitarian and peace-building concerts, including the Mozart Requiem in war-torn Sarajevo and Mahler's Symphony No. 2 near the Buchenwald concentration camp, highlight his use of music as a powerful tool for reconciliation and remembrance. His commitment to cultural harmony was further recognized with the Tagore Award. Furthermore, his involvement in establishing music education programs like Mifneh and the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music reflects his lasting dedication to nurturing future musical talent. His ability to orchestrate large-scale events, from the Three Tenors concerts to the grand staging of Turandot in the Forbidden City, showcases his exceptional organizational and artistic vision. His deep and unwavering connection with Israel and its people, despite not being Jewish, is widely seen as a unifying force, demonstrating that art can transcend political and cultural divides.
8.2. Criticism and Controversy
Despite his widespread acclaim, Zubin Mehta's career has faced some instances of criticism and controversy. In 1961, his appointment as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic without consultation led to the resignation of the orchestra's music director designate, Georg Solti, in protest. More recently, in 2011, a performance by Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at The Proms in London was picketed and interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. This incident caused the BBC to halt the live radio relay of the concert, marking the first such occurrence in the history of The Proms. On a personal note, in the 1990s, it became public that a son, Ori, was born from an extra-marital affair in Israel during his second marriage.
9. External links
- [http://www.zubinmehta.net/ Official website]
- [http://www.bruceduffie.com/mehta.html Two interviews with Zubin Mehta] by Bruce Duffie, 8 December 1993 and 29 February 1996
- [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009mhfc Zubin Mehta interview on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs], 6 July 1984
- [http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0002pxs2 Image of Zubin Mehta conducting Los Angeles Philharmonic at Peninsula Music Fair in Palos Verdes, Calif., 1975.]
- [http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0002w1jk Image of Zubin Mehta conducting peace music from Handel's Messiah at UCLA's Royce Hall Quad,1970.]