Osaka Symphony Orchestra
— 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 2010, The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker was renamed Osaka Symphony Orchestra (OSO).
In April 2008, Hiroshi Kodama assumed the position of Music Director & Principal Conductor of this orchestra. 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 this orchestra’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 and Theater Magdeburg) assumed the position of the Principal Guest Conductor. In April 2011 Kiyotaka Teraoka (winner of Dimitris Mitropoulos International Competition in 2000 and served as the Resident Conductor of OSO from January 2004 to March 2011) assumed the position of the Permanent Conductor. This team of three talented conductors is drawing great interest and anticipation.
OSO’s performance season includes 10 subscription concerts at The Symphony Hall , 5 Famous Classics programs (10 concerts), other special concerts and Tokyo tour. OSO received the Osaka Governor’s Award in 1990 and the Osaka Cultural Awards in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2000. OSO became a member of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras in 1997 and joined Association of Prominent Performers’ Company in 2006. In December of 2002, OSO 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. OSO 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, OSO moved its base to Sakai City, OSO 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, OSO is expected to become even more active.
In January 2008, OSO won “The National Arts Festival Excellence Award” from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. In July of the same year, OSO received Sakai City Honor Award 2008.
And in December, The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker Society became general incorporated foundation.
In July 2009, OSO was presented a Certificate of Commendation from the Mayor of Sakai City for its distinguished contribution to the city. And OSO won The National Arts Festival Grand Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan to the 139th subscription concert(Bruckner’s 6th symphony etc. conducted by Kodama) in October.
OSO has made CD recordings : “Atterberg Symphony No.6” “Glazunov Symphony No.5” , “Taneev Symphony No.4 /Nino Rota Symphony No.4” (These three supported by Rohm Music Foundation) and “Brahms The Complete Symphonies” (KING RECORDS). OSO extended the contract with the Music Director & Principal Conductor Hiroshi Kodama for five years from April 2011 to March 2016.
http://www.sym.jp ( As of November, 2011)
