World renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa dies at 88

A file image of Seiji Ozawa conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra during a rehearsal at Symphony Hall, in Boston, in November 2008. Ozawa died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo, his management office announced. He was 88. Photo: AP

Charismatic Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra for nearly 30 years and delighted audiences with his energetic style, died at his home in Tokyo aged 88, his management team announced on Friday.

Ozawa conquered the world of Western classical music, bringing an East Asian sensibility to his work with some of the world's most celebrated orchestras, from Chicago to Boston to Vienna.