Very sorry on a rare nowadays visit to twitter to see that Maestro Mena has posted a video announcing he has early stage Alzheimer’s . A fine conductor who made a great impression in Manchester . He says it is not affecting his work at present and he will be doing all he can to slow its progression .
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I'm sorry to hear this, and I wish him well. I loved his years with the BBc Philharmonic, not only for the spanish music he introduced to me, (including that wonderful Debussy and Ravel Prom in 2011) but also for his Bruckner 4,6 and 7, performances I wouldn't hesitiate to put alongside Klemperer and Furtwangler for depth of understanding. . I regret only that I didn't hear him do the Fifth.
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The video is accessible via the Spanish newspaper La Peninsula:
JM's mention of a Berlin Philharmonic concert indicated his 2nd concert with them, in September 2024, an all-French concert, especially enterprising in its 1st half:
This is obviously horrible news for JM and his family. With this diagnosis, they do have time now to make long-term preparations. Just as obviously, JM will presumably relish whatever guest-conducting opportunities come his way for as long as he can.
PS: Reminds me that I need to get more sleep, to stave off potential long-term ramifications that could lead to a situation like JM's.Comment
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