[Conductor] A Japanese conductor. Recommended Japanese conductors.
Do you know any Japanese conductors? Centered in Europe, classical music has been loved by people from many countries and widely popularized by numerous performers and the conductors who lead them.
There are many renowned conductors like Karajan, and a conductor’s interpretation can change the atmosphere of the same piece so much that it often determines which concert audiences choose to attend—making conductors truly essential.
While foreign conductors’ names may roll off the tongue, how many Japanese conductors can you name? Foreign conductors are outstanding, but Japanese conductors are no less impressive.
In this article, we’ll introduce Japanese conductors active in Japan and abroad—from principal conductors and music directors, to familiar faces in orchestral concerts of video game and anime music, to popular wind band conductors, and those who have founded Japan-based ensembles to showcase the appeal of Japan’s classical music scene.
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[Conductor] Japanese conductors. Recommended Japanese conductors (41–50)
From Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter” [First Movement]Wakasugi Hiroshi
![From Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter” [First Movement]Wakasugi Hiroshi](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nFm3gQ2xjTs/sddefault.jpg)
Hiroshi Wakasugi entered the Tokyo University of the Arts, studying vocal music under Ryosuke Hatanaka and conducting under Eiichi Ito.
Through a recommendation from Eiichi Ito, he also studied with Hideo Saito, Seiji Ozawa’s mentor.
After an active career in Japan and abroad, he served as a permanent conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra from 1995 until his passing on July 21, 2009.
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D majorTakubo Yūichi
While continuing his work as a music teacher, Yuichi Takubo also conducted an amateur orchestra.
At the age of 30, after losing his mother, he resigned from teaching and became a professional conductor so as not to live with regrets in his once-in-a-lifetime journey.
In 1994, he achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Japanese winner of the 4th Dinu Niculescu International Conducting Competition, and simultaneously received the Jury’s Special Prize—the Romanian Contemporary Music Performance Award—as well as the Audience Prize.
The depth of his conviction undoubtedly reaches people—that is his ideal music.
“Autumn” from The Four SeasonsSaitō Hideo
Hideo Saito was highly active as a cellist, conductor, and music educator, and he had a profound impact on the Japanese music world.
In 1936, he met the Jewish conductor Joseph Rosenstock, who had come to Japan, and through his efforts to absorb everything about music, he established the “Saito Method,” which continues to be passed down to this day.
Among his students are many conductors active on the world stage, such as Seiji Ozawa, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, and Naosumi Yamamoto.
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Movement 3 / Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Basic OrchestraNobutaka Masui
Nobutaka Masui, who studied under many renowned conductors, studied abroad at the Bavarian State Opera in 1989 and took part in numerous opera productions.
In the same year, he became a conductor of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra, and in 1992 he performed with the Vienna Wind Ensemble; that performance was featured in a documentary commemorating the Vienna Philharmonic’s 150th anniversary and was broadcast worldwide.
Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” Fourth Movement / Kyushu University Philharmonic OrchestraSuzuki Masato
Masato Suzuki is a talented Japanese musician born in 1981, known for his multifaceted career as a conductor, composer, and pianist.
After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts and studying in the Netherlands, he has been active both in Japan and abroad.
As the Principal Conductor of Bach Collegium Japan, he conveys the allure of Baroque music while also being well-versed in contemporary music, boasting a wide-ranging repertoire.
In May 2022, he conducted Gluck’s opera at the New National Theatre, showcasing his abilities to the fullest.
He is a recommended conductor not only for those interested in classical music but also for anyone looking to discover new charms in music.