Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) 東京交響楽団 | |
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Orchestra | |
![]() Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall The headquarters of TSO | |
Founded | 1946 |
Location | Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
Website | tokyosymphony |
The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (東京交響楽団, Tōkyō Kōkyō Gakudan) (TSO) is a Japanese orchestra, administratively based in Kawasaki. The orchestra offers subscription concert series at its home, the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall and at Suntory Hall, the Concert Hall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, and Tokyo Opera City. It also serves as the opera orchestra for selected opera productions at New National Theatre Tokyo.
History
[edit]The orchestra was established in 1946 as the Toho Symphony Orchestra (東宝交響楽団), and gave its first performance on 14 May 1946 under the direction of Hitoshi Ueda. The Toho Symphony Orchestra began full-time activities in 1947, starting on 29 September 1947 with performances of Beethoven conducted by Hidemaro Konoe. The orchestra took the name of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in 1951, under the auspices of Radio Tokyo. In May 1956, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra Foundation undertook management of the ensemble. In March 1964, the foundation was dissolved, and the orchestra was reconstituted under new and independent management. A new foundation for the orchestra was re-established in 1980.
Past music directors of the orchestra have included Masashi Ueda (1945–1964) and Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1964–2004). Hubert Soudant was the first non-Japanese music director of the orchestra, from 2004 to 2014. The orchestra's current music director is Jonathan Nott, since 2014. Nott is scheduled to conclude his tenure as the orchestra's music director in March 2026.[1]
In July 2014, Lorenzo Viotti first guest-conducted the orchestra. Viotti returned for four subsequent guest-conducting appearances with the orchestra, in 2016, twice in 2019, and in 2023. In August 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Viotti as its next music director, effective with the 2026-2027 season, with an initial contract of three years.[2]
The orchestra has recorded the musical score for the 1984 movie The Return of Godzilla.
Music directors
[edit]- Hidemaro Konoe
- Masashi Ueda (1945–1964)
- Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1964–2004)
- Hubert Soudant (2004–2014)
- Jonathan Nott (2014–present)
References
[edit]- ^ "Jonathan Nott's Tenure As Tokyo Symphony Music Director Culminates in March 2026" (PDF) (Press release). Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "Lorenzo Viotti Named Next Music Director of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra" (Press release). Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-12.