Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The , is an orchestra
based in Tokyo
, Japan
.
. Akeo Watanabe
served the first Chief (Resident) conductor of the orchestra. In 1958, Jean Fournet
conducted "Pelléas et Mélisande" of Debussy, it was the premiere performance in Japan.
Japan Philharmonic made a subsidiary contract with Fuji Television
in 1959. Between 1961 to 1989, regular concerts were held in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan hall, in Tokyo. Akeo Watanabe completed his recordings of Jean Sibelius
symphonies in 1962, which were released from Nippon Columbia Company (now Columbia Music Entertainment
). Charles Munch conducted the symphony No. 9
of Ludwig Van Beethoven
in 1962. Japan Philharmonic undertook its first overseas tour of the USA and Canada
in 1963. Since then the orchestra has toured Europe
(4 times), the Netherlands, Estonia
, and Hawaii
.
In March 1972, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting and Fuji Television subsidiary contracts broke away, the orchestra foundation was dissolved. Seiji Ozawa
was the principal conductor and the music adviser at the time. One-third of those original members left, then formed the New Japan Philharmonic
in 1972 led by Seiji Ozawa and Naozumi Yamamoto (conductor and secretary-general).
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association was founded in 1973, newly formed as a self-organized orchestra. Václav Smetáček
was appointed as a guest conductor. Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association chorus was formed end of the year.
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association once again became a foundation in 1985, music tour was resumed again.
A friendly relationships between Japan philharmonic and Suginami City
begin in July 1994.
Yokohama concert hall was moved and settled in Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 1998 for Yokohama venue program.
Suginami Public Hall was re-opened with remodeled in June 2006. Japan Philharmonic and Suginami city announced that the formal friendship agreement was signed. Suginami Public Hall is used for rehearsals and some other orchestral events. Members of orchestra regularly visit schools in Suginami area for educational purpose of music and open concerts. Japan philharmonic administrative office is also located in Suginami.
Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi conducted the Japan phil and the Arnhem Philharmonic joint orchestra at Suntory Hall
in March 2007 and March 2009, more than 180 accompanists played with one orchestra.
was appointes as the Chief conductor in October 1990, due to death of Akeo Watanabe. Kobayashi was appointed as the Music Director of Japan phil between 2004 to 2007 music seasons.
Neeme Järvi
made his debut with the Japan phil in June 1995, since September 1995, Järvi was appointed as the guest chief conductor.
Valery Gergiev
was a guest conductor in November 1996. He conducted the orchestra in Tokyo concerts.
Junichi Hirokami
was Resident conductor between 1991 to 2000.
Ryusuke Numajiri was Resident conductor between 2003 to 2008.
Lukács Ervin was appointed as an Honorary conductor in March, 2006.
James Loughran
was appointed as an Honorary conductor in November 2006, of his excellency in 26 years work with Japan phil.
Alexander Lazarev
was appointed as the Chief conductor in September 2008 (until August 2011).
Jiří Bělohlávek
was the guest chief conductor in 1986, he currently holds the position of principal guest conductor.
Pietari Inkinen
was appointed as the principal guest conductor, he will serve the position from September 2009.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
History
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra was founded on June 22, 1956, as the exclusive subsidiary orchestra under the Nippon Cultural BroadcastingNippon Cultural Broadcasting
is a Japanese radio station in Tokyo which broadcasts to the Kanto area. It is one of the two flagship radio stations of National Radio Network and also has a relationship with JOLF and Fuji Television....
. Akeo Watanabe
Akeo Watanabe
Akeo Watanabe was a Japanese symphonic conductor, known for his recordings of the works of Jan Sibelius.Watanabe was born in 1919 to a Japanese father and a Finnish mother. He studied music and conducted at the Tokyo Academy of Music in Japan and the Juilliard School of Music in New York City,...
served the first Chief (Resident) conductor of the orchestra. In 1958, Jean Fournet
Jean Fournet
Jean Fournet was a French conductor.Fournet’s father was a flutist who gave him some instruction on the flute and music theory. Fournet was then trained at the Conservatoire de Paris in flute by Gaston Blanquart and Marcel Moyse, and conducting by Philippe Gaubert...
conducted "Pelléas et Mélisande" of Debussy, it was the premiere performance in Japan.
Japan Philharmonic made a subsidiary contract with Fuji Television
Fuji Television
is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
in 1959. Between 1961 to 1989, regular concerts were held in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan hall, in Tokyo. Akeo Watanabe completed his recordings of Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
symphonies in 1962, which were released from Nippon Columbia Company (now Columbia Music Entertainment
Columbia Music Entertainment
is a Japanese record label founded in 1910 as . It affiliated itself with the Columbia Graphophone Company of the United Kingdom and adopted the standard UK Columbia trademarks in 1931. The company changed its name to Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. in 1946. It used the Nippon Columbia name until...
). Charles Munch conducted the symphony No. 9
Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire, and has been adapted for use as the European Anthem...
of Ludwig Van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
in 1962. Japan Philharmonic undertook its first overseas tour of the USA and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1963. Since then the orchestra has toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(4 times), the Netherlands, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
In March 1972, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting and Fuji Television subsidiary contracts broke away, the orchestra foundation was dissolved. Seiji Ozawa
Seiji Ozawa
is a Japanese conductor, particularly noted for his interpretations of large-scale late Romantic works. He is most known for his work as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera.-Early years:...
was the principal conductor and the music adviser at the time. One-third of those original members left, then formed the New Japan Philharmonic
New Japan Philharmonic
The is a symphony orchestra based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1972 with Seiji Ozawa as honorary conductor laureate. The Philharmonic's primary concert venue is the Sumida Triphony Hall. Since 2003, its music director is Christian Arming....
in 1972 led by Seiji Ozawa and Naozumi Yamamoto (conductor and secretary-general).
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association was founded in 1973, newly formed as a self-organized orchestra. Václav Smetáček
Václav Smetácek
Václav Smetáček was a Czech conductor, composer, and oboist.He studied in Prague among others with Jaroslav Křička, conducting with Metod Doležil and Pavel Dědeček, musicology, aesthetics, and philosophy at Charles University...
was appointed as a guest conductor. Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association chorus was formed end of the year.
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Association once again became a foundation in 1985, music tour was resumed again.
A friendly relationships between Japan philharmonic and Suginami City
Suginami, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Suginami City.As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 538,703, with 301,277 households, and a density of 15,834.39 persons per km². The total area is 34.02 km².-Geography:Suginami occupies the...
begin in July 1994.
Yokohama concert hall was moved and settled in Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 1998 for Yokohama venue program.
Suginami Public Hall was re-opened with remodeled in June 2006. Japan Philharmonic and Suginami city announced that the formal friendship agreement was signed. Suginami Public Hall is used for rehearsals and some other orchestral events. Members of orchestra regularly visit schools in Suginami area for educational purpose of music and open concerts. Japan philharmonic administrative office is also located in Suginami.
Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi conducted the Japan phil and the Arnhem Philharmonic joint orchestra at Suntory Hall
Suntory Hall
The Suntory Hall is a concert hall complex consisting of the "Main Hall" and the "Small Hall" located in the Ark Hills complex, near the U.S. Embassy and TV Asahi in the Akasaka district of northern Minato, a ward in Tokyo, Japan...
in March 2007 and March 2009, more than 180 accompanists played with one orchestra.
Conductors
Ken-Ichiro KobayashiKen-Ichiro Kobayashi
is a Japanese conductor and composer.Born in Iwaki, Fukushima, Kobayashi's father was a high school teacher, mother was a primary school teacher. Kobayashi started composing music at the age of 11...
was appointes as the Chief conductor in October 1990, due to death of Akeo Watanabe. Kobayashi was appointed as the Music Director of Japan phil between 2004 to 2007 music seasons.
Neeme Järvi
Neeme Järvi
Neeme Järvi is an Estonian-born conductor.-Early life:Järvi studied music first in Tallinn, and later in Leningrad at the Leningrad Conservatory under Yevgeny Mravinsky, and Nikolai Rabinovich, among others...
made his debut with the Japan phil in June 1995, since September 1995, Järvi was appointed as the guest chief conductor.
Valery Gergiev
Valery Gergiev
Valery Abisalovich Gergiev is a Russian conductor and opera company director. He is general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.- Early life :Gergiev,...
was a guest conductor in November 1996. He conducted the orchestra in Tokyo concerts.
Junichi Hirokami
Junichi Hirokami
is a Japanese conductor.Born in Tokyo, Hirokami studied conducting, piano, musicology, and viola at the Tokyo College of Music. He won the first Kondrashin International Conducting Competition in Amsterdam in September 1984 at age 26...
was Resident conductor between 1991 to 2000.
Ryusuke Numajiri was Resident conductor between 2003 to 2008.
Lukács Ervin was appointed as an Honorary conductor in March, 2006.
James Loughran
James Loughran
James Loughran CBE, DMus., FRNCM, FRSAMD is a Scottish conductor.-Early life:Educated at St Aloysius' College in Glasgow, Loughran conducted at school and afterwards, while studying economics and law...
was appointed as an Honorary conductor in November 2006, of his excellency in 26 years work with Japan phil.
Alexander Lazarev
Alexander Lazarev
Alexander Lazarev is a Russian conductor. He studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, and later at the Moscow Conservatory with Leo Ginsbourg. In 1971, he was the first prize winner in a national conducting competition in the USSR...
was appointed as the Chief conductor in September 2008 (until August 2011).
Jiří Bělohlávek
Jirí Belohlávek
Jiří Bělohlávek is a Czech conductor. His father was a barrister and judge. In his youth Bělohlávek studied cello with Miloš Sádlo and was later a graduate of the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague...
was the guest chief conductor in 1986, he currently holds the position of principal guest conductor.
Pietari Inkinen
Pietari Inkinen
Pietari Inkinen is a Finnish violinist and conductor. He began violin and piano studies at age 4. As a youth, he also performed in a rock band. He attended the Sibelius Academy and graduated with diplomas in violin and conducting...
was appointed as the principal guest conductor, he will serve the position from September 2009.
Tokyo Venue
- Suntory HallSuntory HallThe Suntory Hall is a concert hall complex consisting of the "Main Hall" and the "Small Hall" located in the Ark Hills complex, near the U.S. Embassy and TV Asahi in the Akasaka district of northern Minato, a ward in Tokyo, Japan...
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art SpaceTokyo Metropolitan Art SpaceThe Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space is a Japanese concert hall and theater located in Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture.- External links :...
- Suginami Public Hall
- Nakano Zero Hall (Occasional use)