Tadaaki Otaka
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese-born
, British-based
conductor. He studied composition, theory, and French horn, at the Toho Gakuen School of Music
, and later was a conducting student of Hideo Saito.
Otaka has been conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
and became conductor laureate since 1991. From 1981 to 1986, he was chief conductor of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra
, and since May 1998 held the titles of music adviser and principal conductor. From 1992 to 1998 he was principal conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
. He founded the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo in 1995 and established as among Japan's best chamber ensembles, and has served as its music adviser, principal conductor, and honorary conductor laureate.
In the UK, Otaka was principal conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
from 1987 to 1996. From 1998 to 2001, he directed the Britten-Pears Orchestra.
In September 2009, Otaka was appointed principal guest conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
(MSO), effective as of 2010. After the sudden departure of MSO's chief conductor Oleg Caetani
in October 2009, Otaka's role was accelerated for him to assume the post in late 2009.
Otaka was the recipient of the 23rd Suntory Music Award
in 1991. He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire
in 1997. Two years later, Otaka became the first Japanese person to be awarded the Elgar Medal, for his efforts on behalf of the music of Edward Elgar
.
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...
, British-based
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
conductor. He studied composition, theory, and French horn, at the Toho Gakuen School of Music
Toho Gakuen School of Music
is a private conservatoire located in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan.-History:Toho Gakuen was founded in 1948 in Kudan as a music school for children, and two years later opened the Toho High School of Music, to provide quality musical education to teenage girls. 1955 saw the establishment of the Junior...
, and later was a conducting student of Hideo Saito.
Otaka has been conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
The claims to be the oldest classical orchestra in Japan, having been founded in Nagoya in 1911. It moved to Tokyo in 1938 and has some 166 members as of 2005....
and became conductor laureate since 1991. From 1981 to 1986, he was chief conductor of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra
Sapporo Symphony Orchestra
The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra based in Sapporo, Japan. The Orchestra has its nickname “Sakkyo” and is a full member of “Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras.”-Outline:...
, and since May 1998 held the titles of music adviser and principal conductor. From 1992 to 1998 he was principal conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
The is a Japanese symphony orchestra administratively based in Tokyo. The orchestra primarily performs concerts in Tokyo at the Suntory Hall, but also gives concerts at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall...
. He founded the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo in 1995 and established as among Japan's best chamber ensembles, and has served as its music adviser, principal conductor, and honorary conductor laureate.
In the UK, Otaka was principal conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a broadcasting orchestra and national orchestra.The BBC NOW has its...
from 1987 to 1996. From 1998 to 2001, he directed the Britten-Pears Orchestra.
In September 2009, Otaka was appointed principal guest conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
(MSO), effective as of 2010. After the sudden departure of MSO's chief conductor Oleg Caetani
Oleg Caetani
Oleg Caetani is a conductor of Ukrainian and Italian descent. He is the son of Igor Markevitch and Donna Topazia Caetani, Markevitch's second wife, who is descended from a Roman family that included the early 14th-century Pope Boniface VIII. Caetani has chosen to use his mother's family name to...
in October 2009, Otaka's role was accelerated for him to assume the post in late 2009.
Otaka was the recipient of the 23rd Suntory Music Award
Suntory Music Award
The , previously known as the , designed to promote Western music in Japan, has been given by the Suntory Music Foundation since their establishment in 1969. The award is presented annually to individuals or groups for the greatest achievement in the development of Western or contemporary music in...
in 1991. He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1997. Two years later, Otaka became the first Japanese person to be awarded the Elgar Medal, for his efforts on behalf of the music of Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
.