profile

The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker
— Profile —

Providing music that satisfies both the audience and the musicians" was the original motto raised by President Hiroko Shikishima when The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker was founded in 1980. Since then, the Symphoniker's electrifying and moving performances have been reviewed as "outpouring of soul" and "sound of passion".In April 2008, Hiroshi Kodama assumed the position of Music Director & Principal Conductor of the Symphoniker. Kodama has more than 26 years of experience in opera houses in Germany, and has appeared in major Japanese productions including New National Theater, Tokyo. He is one of the prominent conductors drawing attentions from wide range of connoisseurs and critics. Kodama's appearance in Symphoniker's 120th subscription concert, where he conducted Bruckner's 5th symphony, was highly acclaimed and won "Music Critic Club Award 2007". And in April 2009, Kimbo Ishii-Eto (Music Director of the Amarillo Symphony ) assumed the position of the Principal Guest Conductor. Together with Symphoniker's Resident Conductor Kiyotaka Teraoka (winner of Dimitris Mitropoulos International Competition in 2000), appointed in January 2004, this team of three talented conductors is drawing great interest and anticipation. Osaka Symphoniker's performance season includes ten subscription concerts at The Symphony Hall, five Famous Classics programs (10 concerts), other special concerts and Tokyo tour. The total number of concerts presented by Osaka Symphoniker between April 2008 and March 2009 reached 108. Osaka Symphoniker received the Osaka Governor's Award in 1990 and the Osaka Cultural Awards in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2000. Symphoniker became a member of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras in 1997 and joined Association of Prominent Performers' Company in 2006 Since 2002, Osaka Symphoniker has been selected to take part in the "Experience Performing Arts" project organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. In December of 2002, Osaka Symphoniker had successful debut performances in Europe, in commemoration of the 100th year of Japanese and Romanian relations. In March of 2003, Symphoniker toured Hanoi in Vietnam for a commemorative performance celebrating the 30th year of Japanese and Vietnamese relations.
Symphoniker has been receiving grants from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan since the 2003 fiscal year. The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker Society was established as a supporting organization for the orchestra in 1988. In 2000, Symphoniker moved its base to Sakai City, Osaka. Symphoniker is in the spotlight for taking active cultural role in Sakai, a government-designated city.In April 2006, Mr. Takeo Higuchi, Chairman and CEO of Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of the Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker Society. With the full support of Daiwa House Industry, the Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker is expected to become even more active. Then six more companies joined the board to establish firmer ground for the organization. In January 2008, Symphoniker won "The National Arts Festival Excellence Award" from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. In July of the same year , Symphoniker received Sakai City Honor Award 2008. And in December, The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker Society became general incorporated foundation. In July 2009, The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker was presented a Certificate of Commendation from the Mayor of Sakai City for its distinguished contribution to the city. And Osaka Symphoniker won g The National Arts Festival Grand Prizeh from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan to the 139 th subscription concert performed in October.
Osaka Symphoniker has made CD recordings : Brahms g The Complete Symphoniesh and Atterberg gSymphony No.6h on KING RECORDS.
Ahead of many other orchestras, Osaka Symphoniker established its website (http://www.sym.jp) in 1999. The website has been accessed over 1,120,000 times and has rich content.
( As of January, 2010)