Zubin Mehta, Conductor
Conductor

Zubin Mehta

Born 29 April 1936 · Maharashtra

Conducted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for over 50 years, shaping its global reputation.

Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of Western classical music. He is music director emeritus of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and conductor emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Zubin Mehta retained his Indian citizenship throughout his international career, including his tenure as music director for life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, as a testament to his enduring connection to India.

The Story

1
🎻 In 1954, at age 18, Zubin Mehta left Bombay to enroll in Vienna State Music Academy, graduating three years later with a conductor's diploma, marking his first formal step into Western classical music.
2
At 21, Mehta conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, becoming one of the youngest to lead a major orchestra internationally by 1957.
3From 1961 to 1967, he served as music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, launching his North American career before becoming the youngest music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1962 at age 26.
4🎼 In 1969, Mehta became music adviser to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, later named its music director for life in 1981, a post he held while conducting orchestras worldwide.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1966
Padma Bhushan
2001
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1962, Mehta became the youngest music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at just 26 years old, a record later tied by Gustavo Dudamel in 2007.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Zubin Mehta at a surprise party given by the IPO honoring their maestro (1981).
Zubin Mehta at a surprise party given by the IPO honoring their maestro (1981).
1981
Conductor Zubin Mehta laughs with singers Dolly Parton and William Smokey Robinson at the Kennedy Center reception (2006).
Zubin Mehta with Kirk Douglas at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony (2011).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Bombay, Maharashtra
Zubin Mehta was born into a Parsi family in Bombay during the British Raj, son of Mehli Mehta, founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra.
1936
📚
Education
Enrolled at Vienna State Music Academy
At age 18, Mehta began formal music education in Vienna, studying conducting for three years and graduating with a diploma.
1954
⚡
Career
Conducted Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
At 21, Mehta conducted this major orchestra, marking an early international conducting debut.
1957
⚡
Career
Music Director of Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Mehta took leadership at Montreal Symphony, beginning his North American career phase.
1961
⚡
Career
Youngest Music Director of LA Philharmonic
At 26, Mehta became the youngest music director ever appointed by a major North American orchestra.
1962
⚡
Career
Music Adviser to Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Mehta began his lifelong association with the IPO, later becoming its music director for life in 1981.
1969
⚡
Career
Music Director of New York Philharmonic
Mehta led one of the world’s leading orchestras until 1991, a key period in his career.
1978
⚡
Career
Chief Conductor of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Mehta held this prestigious post in Florence for over three decades, until 2017.
1985
🏅
Award
Appointed Honorary Conductor of Teatro San Carlo
Mehta’s honorary title at Naples’ Teatro San Carlo reflected his enduring influence in European opera.
2016
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Mehta’s father, Mehli Mehta, was a self-taught violinist who founded the Bombay Symphony Orchestra and later conducted the American Youth Symphony for 33 years in Los Angeles.

02 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite leading orchestras across North America, Europe, and Israel, Mehta has consistently maintained his Indian citizenship, underscoring his deep personal identity with India.

03 / 05
💡SURPRISING

Mehta canceled all his scheduled engagements in Israel in 2026 as a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies towards Palestinians, showing his willingness to take political stands.

“

"The only reason is I never stopped being an Indian. That's the proof of it is I carry an Indian passport for all these years."

— Zubin Mehta

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Legendary maestro Zubin Mehta reflects on six decades of conducting
·YouTube
More from this archive
Legendary maestro Zubin Mehta reflects on six decades of conducting
01
Legendary maestro Zubin Mehta reflects on six decades of conducting
YouTube
Interview with Zubin Mehta | Music Director | Montreal Symphony Orchestra
02
Interview with Zubin Mehta | Music Director | Montreal Symphony Orchestra
YouTube
Zubin Mehta Interview by Irwin Winkler, Part 1 of 5
03
Zubin Mehta Interview by Irwin Winkler, Part 1 of 5
YouTube
How yoga helps Zubin Mehta conduct music
04
How yoga helps Zubin Mehta conduct music
YouTube
Will return to Kashmir if it wants me: Zubin Mehta to NDTV
05
Will return to Kashmir if it wants me: Zubin Mehta to NDTV
YouTube
Zubin Mehta in conversation with Worker Bee
06
Zubin Mehta in conversation with Worker Bee
YouTube
Zubin Mehta – Talk To Al Jazeera
07
Zubin Mehta – Talk To Al Jazeera
YouTube
Zubin Mehta Biography
08
Zubin Mehta Biography
YouTube
Zubin Mehta habla de su visita a Buenos Aires 1991
09
Zubin Mehta habla de su visita a Buenos Aires 1991
YouTube
Zubin Mehta with the IPO - Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
10
Zubin Mehta with the IPO - Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Zubin Mehta transformed the global perception of Indian musicians by leading major Western orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic, breaking cultural barriers in classical music. His long-term leadership of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra helped elevate its status internationally, while his foundation in Bombay promotes classical music education among Indian children, fostering new generations of musicians. His career symbolizes the fusion of Eastern heritage with Western art forms, influencing cultural diplomacy and music education worldwide.

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