HOLLYWOOD—Zubin Mehta was awarded the 2,434th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, March 1. First trained in music by his father, a violinist, Mehta has become a supporter of classical music. He is the conductor of the Israel Philharmonic, founder of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation for children and co-founder of The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music. Kirk Douglas recognized his participation in music by stating, “What would the world do without music? Zubin has entertained millions of people all over the world.”
People gathered on the corner of Hollywood and Vine for the ceremony, which began at 11:30 a.m. Dressed in a dark blue pin-striped suit, he was joined by his wife Nancy, guest speaker Kirk Douglas and Chamber of Commerce members. As a former director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978 and honorary conductor of the Los Angeles and Vienna Philharmonic, he was celebrated with a performance by some of those orchestra members. “I have to say, what a wonderful surprise it was to have three orchestras I have worked with perform all for us today,” said Mehta.
This award also coincides with the celebration of his 50 years of conducting and his 75th birthday. At the ceremony Mehta stated, “I am grateful to this country which has taken care of me for so many years.”
Later that evening, conductor Zubin Mehta led the Israel Philharmonic in performances of Mahler and Haydn at the Walt Disney concert hall.
Photographs of Zubin Mehta are Courtesy: Alex Berliner.
