Mariss jansons jewish calendar

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Mariss Jansons died last night at his home in St Petersburg.

He was 76.

The cause was a longstanding heart condition.

He had been ill frequently this year, collapsing in the Vienna Philharmonic podium and cancelling a Bavarian Radio concert at Carnegie Hall.

Mariss was a marvellous conductor, a sensitive man and a wonderful friend.

The maestro with the sweetest smile.

Eternal rest. May his dear soul recline in peace.

Personal tributes here.

Son of the Latvian conductor Arvid Jansons and his Jewish wife, Araida, Mariss was born in hiding under the Nazi occupation and once shared with me his early forest memories.

While Arvid was assistant conductor of the Leningrad Philharmonic, Mariss memorised his musical library and conducted a trayful of matchsticks.

Nobody ever matched his precision placing of orchestra musicians.

Held back by the Soviet authorities for having the wrong ethnic background