Today is the day Edo counts to 80.

Edo de Waart was born in 1941, fourscore years ago today. Once assistant conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink (he had originally played as an oboist there), De Waart has gone one to enjoy a long and enviable career himself, both in the concert hall and in the recording studio.

Of course, he’s had more music directorships than he’s had wives (barely), including positions with the Rotterdam Philharmonic (1973-79), the San Francisco Symphony (1977-85), the Minnesota Orchestra (1986-95), the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic (1989-2004), the Sydney Symphony (1993-2003), the Hong Kong Philharmonic (2004-12), the Milwaukee Symphony (2009-17), the Antwerp Symphony (2011-16), and the New Zealand Symphony (2016-21). He is now principal guest conductor of the San Diego Symphony (2019- ).

De Waart, who was born in Amsterdam, has made the trip to the altar six times. He currently resides in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin.

Among his achievements, he has been a notable champion of the music of John Adams and Steve Reich. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich dedicated her Symphony No. 2 to him.

This disc has always been a favorite:

De Waart conducting one of Adams’ better pieces:

A candid interview, with an appearance by Adams:

De Waart conducting Brahms’ in advance of his 80th birthday:

Happy birthday, Edo de Waart!