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Kent Nagano: A Life in Music

December 17, 2021

Kent Nagano is one of the most versatile conductors of our time. In a DW interview, he looks back on his life and work and reflects on some formative influences and encounters - and other matters close to his heart.

https://p.dw.com/p/44SGD
Renowned American ­conductor Kent Nagano
Image: Antoine Saito

In a very personal interview with DW, 70-year-old US conductor Kent Nagano looks back on his life and work. He reflects on some formative experiences and encounters - such as why Leonard Bernstein was so influential for him and how he met Frank Zappa and studied his classical compositions.

Frank Zappa und Kent Nagano
Frank Zappa and Kent NaganoImage: Michael Putland/Retna/Photoshot/picture alliance

He also recalls his long collaboration with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, whose sound continues to fascinate him. And he shares with us the secret of his close collaboration with his wife, pianist Mari Kodama.

 

Nagano also relates some little-known anecdotes about his international career - like his experience conducting a Japanese choir - speaking only German and English - during a trip to Japan. Although Kurt Nagano is Japanese-American, he describes his own knowledge of Japanese as "nearly non-existent".  

 

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

SAT 18.12.2021 – 05:02 UTC
SAT 18.12.2021 – 11:30 UTC 
SUN 19.12.2021 – 07:30 UTC 
SUN 19.12.2021 – 13:30 UTC 
SUN 19.12.2021 – 22:30 UTC 
MON 20.12.2021 – 06:30 UTC 

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SUN 19.12.2021 – 07:30 UTC 
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