Lucerne Festival has announced that the autumn tour of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra to Japan is cancelled. Claudio Abbado's health does not permit him to travel so far.

The press release of Lucerne Festival:

Lucerne, 11 September 2013. On the recommendation of his doctors, Claudio Abbado has been compelled on short notice to cancel his plans to conduct the four concerts with the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA in Suntory Hall in Tokyo on 15, 17, 20, and 21 October 2013 as well as the concert in the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ARK NOVA on 12 October 2013. Please find his personal statement below. The four concerts in Suntory Hall will not take place. The new program and the musicians for the concert in LUCERNE FESTIVAL ARK NOVA on 12 October will be published at a later time. The LUCERNE FESTIVAL ARK NOVA in Matsushima will be opened on 27 September.

''My dear friends,

We have many unforgettable memories in our hearts from our last project in 2006, and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and I were greatly looking forward to visiting Japan again. I myself was excited by the prospect of being able to share time with Japanese music lovers this coming October. However, I deeply regret that we have no choice but to cancel all our concerts in Tokyo due to reasons of my health. I ask for your kind understanding.

Claudio Abbado''