Piotr Gajewski suffered what he called “a mild heart attack” on Feb. 20 and required triple-bypass surgery, the former city councilman said Tuesday.

Gajewski, 53, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, is the music director and conductor of the National Philharmonic in residence at the Music Center at Strathmore.

His illness forced him to miss concerts last week, he said during a telephone interview while recovering at home in King Farm.

Gajewski, whose schedule includes performances ranging from a free annual concert for county public school students at Strathmore to performances around the world, is next scheduled to appear with The National Philharmonic for two concerts in late April.

“I expect to be conducting those,” he said.