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Herbert Blomstedt, conductor of great orchestras for seven decades, dies at 99

Nov 4, 2026 · Tom Huizenga

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

Herbert Blomstedt, conductor of great orchestras for seven decades, dies at 99
Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig in April 2026, at the age of 98.
Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig in April 2026, at the age of 98.

Modest in his demeanor but remarkably enduring, the American-born, Swedish conductor continually fell in love with music, leading orchestras with no-nonsense insight and integrity well into his 90s.

(Image credit: Jan Woitas/picture alliance)

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