Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
# Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (東京都交響楽団, Tōkyo-to Kōkyō Gakudan), also known as Tokyō (都響), 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 (1964 Summer Olympics).

Currently Kazushi Ono serves as Music Director, Alan Gilbert as Principal Guest Conductor, Kazuhiro Koizumi as Honorary Conductor for Life and Eliahu Inbal as Conductor Laureate.

Their offices are based at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, a concert venue owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. They perform regularly at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Suntory Hall and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

Traditionally, the Orchestra performs the works of Gustav Mahler as an important part of their repertoire. Hiroshi Wakasugi, Eliahu Inbal and Gary Bertini have performed all the symphonies of Mahler with the orchestra.

The Orchestra has received much international acclaim through overseas performances in Europe, North America and Asia. In November 2015, They brought a tour in Europe under the baton of Kazushi Ono, which was highly acclaimed.

## Conductors

* Kazushi Ono (2015–) Music Director
* Alan Gilbert (conductor) (2018–) Principal Guest Conductor
* Eliahu Inbal (2008–2014) Principal Conductor
* Jakub Hrůša　(2010–2018) Principal Guest Conductor
* James DePreist (2005–2008) Permanent Conductor
* Gary Bertini (1998–2005) Music Director
* Kazuhiro Koizumi (1995–1998) Principal Conductor
* Hiroshi Wakasugi (1986–1995) Music Director
* Jean Fournet (1983–1986) Permanent Guest-Conductor
* Moshe Atzmon (1978–1983) Music Adviser & Principal Conductor
* Akeo Watanabe (1972–1978) Music Director & Permanent Conductor
* Tadashi Mori (1967–1972) Music Director & Permanent Conductor
* Heinz Hofmann (1965–1967) Music Director & Permanent Conductor

## Awards

* Kyoto Music Award (1991)
* Japan's 50th Record Academy Award for Best Symphony Album (E.Inbal/ Shostakovich: Symphony No.4, 2012)
* Japan's 53rd Record Academy Award for Special Award (E.Inbal+TMSO/ Neuer Mahler-Zyklus 2012–2013)

## Note

* The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (都響, Tokyō) tends to be confused with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (東響, Tōkyō).
* The orchestra had mainly performed only classical music but came to also perform other symphonic music since around 2000, such as Dragon Quest soundtracks with Koichi Sugiyama, and soundtracks for Nodame Cantabile (anime and TV drama) and Red Cliff (film).
