Hong Kong Philharmonic conductor cancels two concerts due to shoulder injury
Jaap van Zweden says his shoulder, not protests, forced him to cancel two concerts next week
The conductor of Hong Kong's flagship orchestra was forced to cancel two concerts next week because of a shoulder injury.
"My doctor warned me my future career could be in trouble if I went on with my schedule," said Jaap van Zweden, the music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2012.
"I am taking three weeks off, otherwise my doctor would not be very happy with me. Very sadly I have to cancel my concerts in Hong Kong, Chicago and Dallas."
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Morning Post from his Amsterdam home, the 53-year-old Dutchman said his right shoulder had been in pain for about 18 months.
The first sign of a problem became apparent in late summer when he cancelled his appearance at the Cleveland Orchestra's 2014 Blossom Music Festival.
Last week, acute pain forced him to stop conducting Dmitri Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony with the Dallas Symphony - where he is also music director - after the first two of four concerts. His subsequent concerts with the Chicago Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic were also called off.
Vassily Sinaisky, the incumbent chief conductor of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, will stand in for the Hong Kong concerts.