Herbert Blomstedt, an American-born, Swedish conductor whose remarkably long career saw him leading many of the world's major orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony for 10 years, died on Wednesday at his home in Gothenburg, Sweden. He was 99.
His death was announced in a statement released by his management company, KünstlerSekretariat am Gasteig.
In a profession routinely flush with elderly practitioners, Blomstedt, year after year, retained his title as the world's oldest active conductor. He worked into his late 90s, conducting concerts this year, at the age of 98, with the Detroit Symphony and the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, Germany.
"Retirement is not a question of age," Blomstedt told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It should be flexible. I just love the music so much that I just can't give up." And he didn't.
Blomstedt suffered falls in 2022 and 2023, and an ear infection in 2025, forcing him to cancel performances in Europe and the U.S., but he was undaunted. He resumed adding dates to his schedule, leading the world's top orchestras. In recent years, he conducted while seated…