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Appearing

conductor / Tadaaki OTAKA, Conductor Laureate

cello / Yuji Ishikawa, principal *

Song List

© Martin Richardson

Tadaaki OTAKA, Conductor Laureate（conductor）

Japanese-born Tadaaki Otaka has been Music Director of Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra since April 2018 and, following a distinguished tenure as Principal Conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, became their Conductor Laureate. This remarkable relationship with BBC NOW stretches back more than three decades and he has appeared with them each season since his debut. Long esteemed as one of Japan’s finest conductors, he also holds the titles of Permanent Conductor of the NHK Symphony, Conductor Laureate of Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Honorary Guest Conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra and Honorary Conductor Laureate of Kioi Hall Chamber Orchestra Tokyo. He has had a close association with Sapporo Symphony Orchestra for four decades, leading highly-successful European tours and establishing them internationally as one of Japan’s leading ensembles; and since 2015 has served as their Honorary Music Director. Between 2009 and 2012 he served as Principal Guest Conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and was Artistic Director of the New National Theatre, Tokyo (2010 to 2014). Mo. Otaka returns to Europe in March 2025 for performances with BBC NOW, featuring works by Bruch, Grace Williams and Rachmainov He continues to conduct extensively in Japan and is also a highly regarded teacher of young conductors, holding posts as Honorary Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Visiting Professor of the Soai University and the Kyoto City University of Arts and Guest Professor of the Kunitachi College of Music. He combines these activities with regular European visits. Recent BBC NOW highlights include BBC Proms, and he also served on the juries of the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition in London, the Malko Competition in Copenhagen and the 18th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting.

© K.Seki

Yuji Ishikawa, principal *（cello）

Born in 1997, in Nagoya, Japan, Ishikawa started to play cello at the age of eight, and continued his study at Tokyo University of Music with special distinction. He graduated the University with summa cum laude and completed the postgraduate course in 2001. Ishikawa’s mentors were Shuya Matsushita, Ryoichi Hayashi, Akimichi Hoshino, Fumiaki Kono, and Ryosuke Hori. He won the second prize in the 8th Japan Chamber Music Competition (1998) and the first prize (no 2nd prize selected) in the 68th Music Competition of Japan “Cello,” with Kuroyanagi award (1999). During the same year, Ishikawa became a transfer and scholarship student between Okinawa International Music Festival 1999and Chigiana Music Academy in Siena, Italy, which gave him an opportunity to study cello under Mario Brunello. In 2002, Ishikawa won the Best Young Player Award from the 8th Ogaki Music Festival. His soloist activities include concerts with Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, and Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, all highly acclaimed. Ishikawa was the principal cello of Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and became the principal cello of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra in 2005. Ishikawa is a recipient of the 2010 DOGIN Arts and Culture Encouragement Award and is a part-time senior lecturer of Hokkaido University of Education, Iwamizawa Campus.