Herbert Blomstedt, legendary two-time Grammy winning conductor, dies at 99

Swedish-American conductor Herbert Blomstedt has died at the age of 99 in his home in Gothenburg, Sweden. He passed away on Wednesday, November 4, surrounded by his family.

Over a career spanning more than seven decades, Blomstedt became one of the most respected figures in classical music. He held leadership roles with several major orchestras, including serving as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1985 to 1995 and leading the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester.

Blomstedt was a two-time Grammy winner and was recently named a laureate of the Praemium Imperiale in Japan. His interpretations of works by Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Bruckner were highly acclaimed, as were his recordings of symphonies by Sibelius and Nielsen.

He maintained a significant relationship with the Czech Philharmonic, conducting them on multiple occasions, most recently in January 2025. The orchestra released a statement expressing their sorrow, noting his precision and deep understanding of music.