Pianist falls ill before concert at the Center

Deepa Bharath

Internationally renowned pianist Andre Watts was rushed into

emergency surgery Thursday night after he became ill minutes before

performing at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Watts, 56, was getting ready to play Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1,

a piece that had held the audience in thrall Wednesday night, said

Christopher Trela, spokesman for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

Watts was scheduled for three performances with the symphony -- on

Wednesday, Thursday and today.

Members of the symphony were shocked, and there was a lot of

“scrambling” backstage when Watts became ill at about 7:45 p.m., 15

minutes before the performance was scheduled to begin, Trela said.

“We don’t know exactly what he felt, but there was the need to

take him to the hospital,” he said. “He was fine when he walked in at

7 p.m. It was completely unexpected.”

Watts was transported to Hoag Hospital, where he was diagnosed

with subdural hematoma, or bleeding of the brain. He then underwent

emergency surgery.

As of Friday, he was listed in “fair condition,” said Karen

Lindsay, hospital spokeswoman.

The symphony performed Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 after Watts’

departure, Trela said. German pianist Markus Groh will perform

today’s 3 p.m. concert, he said.