The outer-space Beethoven concert that left legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa in tears

1 December 2022, 10:51 | Updated: 9 February 2024, 12:09

In a historic first, an orchestra and the music of Beethoven resonated in outer space.

Legendary Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has died aged 88, leaving behind an extraordinary musical legacy.

Today, we’re remembering the very moving moment that he was left in tears, following a performance of Beethoven which was broadcast live to outer space.

At age 87, Ozawa had returned for the first time in four years to lead the Saito Kinen Orchestra, in a world-first performance given in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Beethoven’s ‘Egmont’ Overture was broadcast live to outer space, for a single, very important listener – astronaut Koichi Wakata, who was living on the International Space Station (ISS).

In a statement, Ozawa said: “I believe that this project will give us courage and hope for those of us who live in difficult times. Music has the power to connect people’s hearts, transcending language, borders, races, and the atmosphere.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting Mr. Wakata, who is now in space. I wonder what music sounds like in space.”

Read more: Renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has died, aged 88

Orchestra makes history as it resonates in space for the first time

At the end of the performance (watch a clip above), the renowned maestro broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the music.

The performance, which took place on in November 2022 at Kissei Bunka Hall in Matsumoto, was part of the ‘One Earth Mission – Unite with Music’ joint initiative planned by Ozawa, the SKO and JAXA.

Wakata, who heard the entire concert from the ISS, said: “This is my fifth stay in space, from where I gaze at my home of Earth. I have been given the good fortune of listening to an orchestra performance from Earth while I am here at ISS.

“I sense that this has the power to unite the world. As we live in an era with many challenges, I believe that this project will impart courage and hope.”

Ozawa was best known for his music director positions at the San Francisco Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra where he was the ensemble’s longest-standing music director, spending 29 years in the position.

He founded the SKO in September 1984 following the death of Hideo Saito, co-founder of the Toho Gakuen School of Music. The orchestra has released many recordings to date, and in 2016 won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.

The world has lost a great musician. Rest in peace, maestro.