WITH THE MUSIC OF MOZART AND BEETHOVEN The world is celebrating a great maestro As a tribute to the living legend that is Zubin Mehta, the Belgrade Philharmonic is performing in India to commemorate the conductor’s 90 th birthday
Kao orkestar koji mu je davne 1958. pružio prvu profesionalnu šansu, Beogradska filharmonija se posebnim slovima upisala u Mehtinu legendarnu karijeru As the orchestra that gave him his first professional opportunity, way back in 1958, the Belgrade Philharmonic holds a special place in the story of Mehta’s legendary career ikada. Zubin Mehta (rođen 29. aprila 1936. u tadašnjem Bombaju) jedan je od najpoznatijih i najuticajnijih diri- genata današnjice. Odrastao je u mu- zičkoj porodici i dirigovanje učio u Be- ču, gde je već u dvadesetim godinama debitovao kao izvanredan talenat. Sa samo 25 godina postao je muzički di- rektor Montrealskog simfonijskog or- kestra, a ubrzo i Los Anđeles filhar- monije. Ređali su se najbolji orkestri, a Mehta je postao poznat po harizmi, savršenoj memoriji i sposobnosti da bez napora vodi i najveće filharmoni- je sveta. Dirigovao je u najprestižni- jim operama, sarađivao sa legendama, a publiku je osvojio toplinom i nepo- srednošću. Njegova karijera traje više od šest decenija – i ne posustaje.
C oncerts in Mumbai, Zubin Mehta’s home- town and the launchpad for this great celebration, will see top stars of clas- sical music – pianist Lang Lang and vi- olinist Pinchas Zukerman – perform together with the Belgrade Philhar- monic, under Mehta’s baton, on 15 th and 16th January 2026. The Belgrade Philharmonic was grant- ed the great honour of being the first orchestra to launch celebrations of Mehta’s 90 th birthday, which will be marked around the world in 2026. The world music scene’s most important artists will gather in this Indian me- tropolis where the great maestro was born, together with the Belgrade Phil- harmonic, which is closely linked to Mehta through a lifelong friendship. As the orchestra that gave him his first professional opportunity, way back in 1958, the Belgrade Philhar- monic holds a special place in the sto- ry of Mehta’s legendary career. Over the years, the Belgrade Phil has de- veloped a deep and special friendship with the man who is the most impor- tant contemporary conductor, with Mehta himself having said: “when a person becomes my friend, I always stay with them. And the same goes for orchestras”. This is why the Belgrade Philharmon- ic has now received this magnificent opportunity to perform in Mumbai’s magnificent National Centre for Per- forming Arts for the first time in its 102-year history. With Mehta himself conducting, the Serbian orchestra will perform two different repertoires com- prising works by Mozart and Beethov- en. This will also be the first time that the Philharmonic will share the stage with superstar Lang Lang, considered one of the best living pianists, in the
performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. Together with living legend and Mehta’s great friend, violinist Pin- chas Zukerman, they will perform Mo- zart’s Violin Concerto No. 5. Crowning the birthday shows with the Belgrade Phil will be Mehta’s performance of Beethoven’s 3 rd and 7 th symphonies. Mehta isn’t just a maestro. He’s al- so a visionary who tirelessly builds bridges between cultures, using mu- sic that connects people. He will this year set out from his native Mumbai in launching a series of events that will mark the world music scene during 2026, celebrating a man who is among the most significant musical figures of all time. Born 29 th April, 1936, in what was then Bombay, Mehta is to- day one of the world’s most famous and influential conductors. Raised in a musical family, he studied conduct- ing in Vienna, and it was there that he first demonstrated his outstanding tal- ent, already in his early 20s. He be- came Music Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at the age of just 25, and soon afterwards also of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The world’s best philharmonic orchestras lined up for him, and Mehta came to be known for his charisma, perfect memory and ability to effortlessly lead the world’s largest orchestras. He has conducted for the most prestigious opera hous- es, collaborated with legends like Pa- varotti and Von Karajan, and won over audiences worldwide with his warmth and forthrightness. His career has spanned more than six decades – and he shows no signs of stopping.
Tekst / Words: Vanja Filipović Fotografije / Photography: Marko Djokovic
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