At my recent annual check-up, Dr. Newman insisted on interrogating me on the following subjects: What is my daily diet? Do I drink eight glasses of water daily? How many hours a night do I sleep? How much do I exercise daily?
Well, the last question made me sweat… I hate exercising and get irritated and bored when my slender and very attractive girlfriends talk passionately about the hours they spend at the fitness center, dancing Zumba, running on the treadmill and riding their stationary bicycle at home. Just in case, they wake up in the middle of the night and run to their favorite high-tech machinery. After all, they live in Silicon Valley.
Basically, I am totally jealous and very envious of their passion for fitness. But I would rather visit my favorite sushi restaurant and zoom by my vroom – vroom in my red sporty Beemer to attend the fabulous concert with the Peninsula Symphony. Can you relate to my personal choice of satisfaction, as Mick Jagger sings? It’s priceless!
Ever wonder how and why so many notable orchestra conductors lived a long life? According to Dr. Newman, it’s their daily two-hour exercise atop the podium. Sometimes even more if they have to run a practice session with their amazing musicians.
Here are a few of the very famous orchestra conductors who enjoy and have enjoyed a very long and productive life:
• Dr. Charlene Archibeck: Happy 92nd birthday Dr. Archibeck! A long-time resident of Los Altos Hills, Maestra Archibeck, Professor Emerita for over 35 years of San Jose State University is busy traveling the world while conducting and teaching talented choraliers. Known for her knowledge of the choral repertoire and performance practice of all styles, Dr. Archibeck’s choir appearances included 16 tours of Australia, Mexico and throughout Europe. She has conducted in many of the major music halls, including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Royal Albert Hall and the Berlin Philharmonic. She is definitely in demand!!
• Mitchell Sardou Klein (67 years old) is the director and conductor of the prestigious Peninsula Symphony headquartered in Los Altos. A winner of many prestigious awards, including the 2008 Diamond Award for the Best Individual Artists, the Silver Lei Award from the Honolulu Film Festival, the 2000 ASCAP Award for programming of American Music on Foreign Tour as well as the 1993 Bravo Award for his contribution to the Bay Area Cultural Life. Mr. Klein was born in New York City. Don’t miss the Oct. 2 concert at the Heritage Theater in Campbell and the Oct. 4 one at San Mateo Performing Arts Center with Peninsula Symphony’s performances saluting John Williams, the legendary composer and conductor of E.T. “The Extra Terrestrial,” “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park.” Don’t miss the pre-concert talk hosted by Maestro Mitchell Sardou Klein 45 minutes prior to curtain time.
• Michael Tilson Thomas: Lived to 81 years old. (Dec. 21, 1944-April 22, 2026) was an American conductor, composer, pianist and music pedagogue. Thomas was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and then music director of the San Francisco Symphony until 2020. Beloved member of the San Francisco community. He will be celebrated at a very special concert event on Oct. 2 at Davies Symphony Hall. Not to be missed – I already purchased my ticket!
• Frank Emond: Lived to 104 years old (May 21, 1918-Jan. 10, 2023); known for leading the United States Navy Band and recognized as a record-holding older maestro.
• Leopold Stokowski: Lived to 95 years old (April 18, 1882-Sept. 13, 1977); famous long-tenured conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra who signed recording contracts into his mid-90s.
• Herbert Blomstedt: Born July 11, 1927 (99 years old); renowned with the SF Symphony, a Swedish-American maestro who spent many years conducting and remains active on the international podium as one of history’s oldest working conductors.
• Sir Adrian Boult: Lived for 93 years (April 8, 1889-Feb. 22, 1983); prominent British conductor of the BBC Symphony and London Philharmonic.
• Pablo Casals: Lived to 96 years old (Dec. 29, 1876-Oct. 22, 1973); celebrated Catalan cellist and conductor.
• Arturo Toscanini: Lived to 90 years old (March 25, 1867-Jan. 16, 1957); was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the late 19th century.
Yes, my friends, these prominent conductors exercised every day on their conductor’s podium and they live and lived long lives.
Well… I invited Dr. Newman to join me for the concert with the Peninsula Symphony! Hopefully he will understand my allergy to exercising and my love for classical music.
P.S. Any orchestra podiums for sale?
