Claudio Abbado of late has been doing Beethoven symphony cycles in Vienna
and Rome.  They've been a critical success.  His health has been less
upbeat.  In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung today he
revealed that he had undergone a cancer operation which involved removal
of his stomach.  Despite this he went on the road to do Beethoven.  I can
imagine no greater tribute to eirther Ludwig, or for that matter, Claudio's
staying power.

Denis Fodor