Also: “The Culture Week” – from 9:05 a.m. on ORF 2
Vienna (OTS) – The “matinee” on Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 9:05 a.m. on ORF 2, commemorates the Japanese conductor, who recently died at the age of 88, with the portrait “Seiji Ozawa, back in Japan” (9:50 a.m.). He was music director of the Vienna State Opera in 2002 and 2010 and was committed to supporting young musicians throughout his life. At the start of the ORF cultural morning presented by Teresa Vogl, the documentary “Vienna Tradition 2.0 – Old New Crafts” (9:05 a.m.) is about the craftsmanship of long-established businesses that are being breathed new life into by younger generations. Finally, “The Culture Week” (10.45 a.m.) brings current reports and tips on local cultural events.
“Viennese Tradition 2.0 – Old New Craft” (9:05 a.m.)
What sounds almost provocative is actually a tradition within a tradition in Vienna. Knowledge, progress, manifesting what has been learned and setting off for something new: all of this takes place in a constant flow in Vienna. The film by Barbara Weissenbeck and Gerald Benesch documents the craftsmanship before it takes the next innovative step and while it still exists. With a wink, the filmmakers have managed to create a lively, appreciative insight into what has almost been forgotten.
Childhood memories are brought back when “Die Zuckerlwerkstatt” produces handmade sweets live according to old recipes and pattern books. Klaus Mühlbauer is unstoppable when it comes to material and design innovation in his hats – he even has Brad Pitt as a regular customer. The fashion designer Susanne Bisovsky, who was responsible for the costume creations for this year’s ORF New Year’s Concert Ballet, interprets “tracht” much more broadly than expected, having learned from Helmut Lang and Vivienne Westwood. Thomas Petz took over the profession of horn comb maker from his grandfather, expanded it with new designs and today produces much more than just combs made from African cattle horns. Andreas Gugumuck breeds and uses snails and cooks according to old recipes. A rediscovered “Mixed Set” from the WienWein Group goes best with this. The six winemakers also gave the shape and name to a glass series from the world-famous Viennese glass manufacturer Lobmeyr. But culinary and enjoyment also have a newly interpreted tradition in Vienna, because cool senior citizens bake cakes and tarts in a coffee house that began as a fun pop-up store: The “Vollpension” sees itself as a project that connects generations.
“Seiji Ozawa, Back in Japan” (9:50 a.m.)
Seiji Ozawa was a conductor legend during his lifetime. He studied with Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan and was the first Asian to lead a major Western orchestra – the renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra, which he led for almost 30 years. The Japanese maestro made the orchestra one of the most famous ensembles in North America, opened the Tanglewood Festival to a wide audience and gave its name to the Seiji Ozawa Hall, which was built in Tanglewood in 1994 as the summer quarters of the Boston Symphony.
With his fuzzy head, red sneakers and baseball cap, Seiji Ozawa never fit the stereotype of a “classical” musician. He never gave up his style throughout his life, even if he seemed a little less unusual in his old age than in the 1970s. Ozawa, who worked as music director of the Vienna State Opera from 2002 to 2010, did not attach great importance to honorifics – it was more important to him to share his love of music with others, which is why he also put a lot of energy into academies to support young musicians . After his cancer, Seiji Ozawa had to take a step back from his career, was no longer able to travel all the time and finally returned to Japan for good.
In the portrait designed by Olivier Simonnet, which traces the life of the exceptional conductor with great care and admiration, Ozawa talks about Asia, the discovery of the Western repertoire in Japan, great composers and, of course, about passing on his skills. The artist’s divided relationship with his home country also becomes clear: Seiji Ozawa, who is now celebrated as a national hero, was once an outsider who caused offense in Japan with his demands and his love of freedom.