Zubin Mehta, born on April 29, 1936, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, is a conductor of international fame and has been a prominent figure in classical music since the late 20th century. Coming from a musical family, Mehta's initial exposure to music was through his father, Mehli Mehta, who was a violinist and founding conductor of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Zubin Mehta initially planned to study medicine but soon shifted his focus to music, studying conducting under Hans Swarowsky at the Musikakademie in Vienna, Austria.
Mehta's career has been marked by his tenure with several of the world's leading orchestras. He became the music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 1961, a position he held until 1967. His subsequent appointments included being the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra from 1962 to 1978, the New York Philharmonic from 1978 to 1991 (the longest tenure in that orchestra's history), and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra from 1977, with which he was named Music Director for Life in 1981. Mehta's repertoire is vast, covering a wide range of classical works from Beethoven symphonies to operas by Verdi, as reflected in his recent recordings. Known for his charismatic conducting style and profound interpretations, Mehta has made numerous recordings with these and other orchestras, earning him global recognition and several prestigious awards. Through his decades-spanning career, Zubin Mehta has not only captivated audiences around the world but has also been instrumental in bringing classical music to wider audiences, establishing himself as a true maestro of his craft.
Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the artists you love!
Get Started