In Memoriam: Herbert Blomstedt (July 11, 1927 - November 4, 2026)

We lost one of the greatest Bruckner interpretors. Herbert Blomstedt died at his home in Gotenburg, Sweden on November 4, 2026 - just eight months short of his 100th birthday. What is more remarkable is that he was actively travelling and conducting in his 99th year. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts - barely 30 miles from where this is being written, but in his seven decade conducting career he travelled all over the world and served as music director for eight symphony orchestras before switching his focus to guest conducting. While Blomstedt championed the music of many composers, Bruckner was on the top of his list. The Bruckner Archive alone holds over 200 performances. He not only scheduled Bruckner performances wherever he conducted, but he was actively interested in the musicological research that was being produced as part of the Bruckner New Edition. As new editions became available, Blomstedt would add these editions, and occasionally a different version of a symphony to his concert repertoire. His advocacy for Bruckner began early in his career while he was conducting in Sweden. Looking through the Archive, the earliest performance presently held dates back to his time in Sweden when he was just 39 years old. That performance will be the Download of the Month for December.