Takuo Yuasa
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
conductor. Yuasa has directed major orchestras in Japan and the UK, and recording on more than 50 CDs as an exclusive artist for Naxos Records
.
, Japan, where he studied piano, cello, flute, and clarinet. At age 18, he left Japan to study at the University of Cincinnati
in the USA, eventually completing a Bachelor Degree in Theory and Composition. Later on, he moved to Europe to study conducting at the Hochschule in Vienna with Hans Swarowsky
, after which he studied with Igor Markevitch
in France and Franco Ferrara
in Siena. He then became assistant to Lovro von Matačić
, working with him in Monte Carlo, Milan, and Vienna. Since winning a Special Award at the Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice, Poland, Yuasa has frequently conducted the major orchestras there, including the Warsaw National Philharmonic and the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestras.
Back in his home of Japan, Yuasa conducts several major Japanese orchestras including the Japan Philharmonic, Osaka Philharmonic, the New Japan Philharmonic
orchestra, and been principal conductor of the Gumma Symphony Orchestra. Recent engagements include appearances with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
in its own Subscription Series and the complete symphonies by Brahms and Schumann with the Osaka Century Orchestra. Outside of his performance career, he is also Associate Professor at the Performing Arts Centre, Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music, where he is closely associated with the Geidai Philharmonic Orchestra and the University's wonderful new Sogaduko Concert Hall. In the UK, Yuasa has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra
, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
(as principal guest conductor), and the Ulster Orchestra
(as principal guest conductor).
In April 2010, Yuasa came back to the UK with the Osaka Symphony Choir, to perform Handel's Judas Maccabbeus with the world famous Huddersfield Choral Society. This was performed in Huddersfield Town Hall on Friday 16 April 2010. The visit from the choir is a mirror of the one the Choral Society did some years ago, when they went to Osaka to sing Britten's War Requiem. The orchestra which played for the performance was the Manchester Camerata.
Yuasa has also worked with various youth orchestras, having made two appearances with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
, with whom he toured in Summer of 2009 to play concerts in Katowice, Krakow in Poland, and Apeldoorn in The Netherlands. The programme included performances of Dvořák's
Hussite Overture, Lutosławski's Cello Concerto, and Strauss'
epic tone poem Ein Heldenleben
. He has also made an appearance with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales
in 2011, where he conducted Hilary Tann
's From the Feather to the Mountain, Liszt
's Tasso, and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
conductor. Yuasa has directed major orchestras in Japan and the UK, and recording on more than 50 CDs as an exclusive artist for Naxos Records
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
.
Biography
Takuo Yuasa was born in OsakaOsaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan, where he studied piano, cello, flute, and clarinet. At age 18, he left Japan to study at the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
in the USA, eventually completing a Bachelor Degree in Theory and Composition. Later on, he moved to Europe to study conducting at the Hochschule in Vienna with Hans Swarowsky
Hans Swarowsky
Hans Swarowsky was an Austrian conductor of Hungarian birth and Jewish descent.Swarowsky was born in Budapest, Hungary. He studied the art of conducting under Felix Weingartner and Richard Strauss...
, after which he studied with Igor Markevitch
Igor Markevitch
Igor Markevitch was a Ukrainian, Italian, and French composer and conductor.- Origin :Igor Markevich was born in Kiev, to an old family of Ukrainian Cossack starshyna ennobled in the 18th century...
in France and Franco Ferrara
Franco Ferrara
Franco Ferrara was an Italian conductor.After obtaining diplomas in piano, violin, organ and musical composition at the Conservatory of Bologna, Ferrara began his career as violin player in Bologna, in Rome and in Florence, with the Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino...
in Siena. He then became assistant to Lovro von Matačić
Lovro von Matacic
Lovro von Matačić was a Croatian conductor and composer.-Biography:Lovro von Matačić was born in Sušak to a family that was granted a noble title in the early 17th century. Growing up, he was always surrounded by music and art: his father had a career as an opera singer, and his mother as an actress...
, working with him in Monte Carlo, Milan, and Vienna. Since winning a Special Award at the Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice, Poland, Yuasa has frequently conducted the major orchestras there, including the Warsaw National Philharmonic and the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestras.
Back in his home of Japan, Yuasa conducts several major Japanese orchestras including the Japan Philharmonic, Osaka Philharmonic, 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....
orchestra, and been principal conductor of the Gumma Symphony Orchestra. Recent engagements include appearances with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
The , also known as Tokyō , is one of the representative symphony orchestras of Japan. The Orchestra was founded in 1965 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics ....
in its own Subscription Series and the complete symphonies by Brahms and Schumann with the Osaka Century Orchestra. Outside of his performance career, he is also Associate Professor at the Performing Arts Centre, Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music, where he is closely associated with the Geidai Philharmonic Orchestra and the University's wonderful new Sogaduko Concert Hall. In the UK, Yuasa has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is a broadcasting symphony orchestra based in Glasgow, Scotland. One of five full-time orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation , it is the oldest full-time professional orchestra in Scotland...
(as principal guest conductor), and the Ulster Orchestra
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Belfast, the only full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. The orchestra plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall...
(as principal guest conductor).
In April 2010, Yuasa came back to the UK with the Osaka Symphony Choir, to perform Handel's Judas Maccabbeus with the world famous Huddersfield Choral Society. This was performed in Huddersfield Town Hall on Friday 16 April 2010. The visit from the choir is a mirror of the one the Choral Society did some years ago, when they went to Osaka to sing Britten's War Requiem. The orchestra which played for the performance was the Manchester Camerata.
Yuasa has also worked with various youth orchestras, having made two appearances with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland has provided music education and performance experience for young musicians throughout Scotland since its formation in 1979....
, with whom he toured in Summer of 2009 to play concerts in Katowice, Krakow in Poland, and Apeldoorn in The Netherlands. The programme included performances of Dvořák's
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
Hussite Overture, Lutosławski's Cello Concerto, and Strauss'
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
epic tone poem Ein Heldenleben
Ein Heldenleben
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40, is a tone poem by Richard Strauss. The work was completed in 1898, and heralds the composer's more mature period in this genre...
. He has also made an appearance with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales
National Youth Orchestra of Wales
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales , founded in 1945, has the distinction of being the first national youth orchestra in the world and is Europe’s longest-standing national youth orchestra....
in 2011, where he conducted Hilary Tann
Hilary Tann
Hilary Tann is a Welsh composer now based in the United States.Tann holds a degree in music composition from the University of Wales, Cardiff. Her overture, With the Heather and Small Birds, commissioned by the 1994 Cardiff Festival, is her tribute to the land of her birth...
's From the Feather to the Mountain, Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
's Tasso, and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5.
External links
- Takuo Yuasa at Naxos RecordsNaxos RecordsNaxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
(bio, photo, recordings) - [ Takuo Yuasa] at Allmusic (credits)