Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is a Japanese orchestra based in Tokyo. Their offices are based at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, a concert venue owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The orchestra performs regularly at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Suntory Hall and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
History
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the orchestra in 1965, in the aftermath of the Tokyo Olympics. Heinz Hofmann was the first titled conductor of the orchestra, serving from 1965 to 1967. Through the work of Hiroshi Wakasugi, Eliahu Inbal and Gary Bertini in particular, the orchestra has regularly featured the symphonies of Gustav Mahler..The current music director of the orchestra is Kazushi Ōno, since April 2015. His most recent contract extension with the orchestra, announced in October 2021, is through March 2026. Ōno is scheduled to conclude his tenure as the orchestra's music director in April 2026, and subsequently to take the title of artistic advisor for two years, and after that to take the title of conductor laureate.
Since April 2018, Alan Gilbert has served as the orchestra's principal guest conductor. In September 2025, the orchestra announced that Gilbert's title with the orchestra is to change to permanent guest conductor and music partner. Kazuhiro Koizumi, principal conductor of the orchestra from 1995 to 1998, subsequently principal guest conductor from 1998 to 2008, then resident conductor from 2008 to 2014, now has the title of 'Honorary Conductor for Life', since April 2014. Eliahu Inbal was principal conductor of the orchestra from 2008 to 2014, and since April 2014 has the title of conductor laureate of the orchestra. In September 2025, the orchestra announced the appointment of Daniele Rustioni as its next principal guest conductor, effective April 2026.
In April 2024, Pekka Kuusisto first guest-conducted the orchestra. In September 2025, the orchestra announced the appointment of Kuusisto as its new chief conductor, effective April 2028, with an initial contract of three years.
Conductors
Music directors, permanent conductors, and principal conductors
- Heinz Hofmann
- Tadashi Mori
- Akeo Watanabe
- Moshe Atzmon
- Hiroshi Wakasugi
- Kazuhiro Koizumi
- Gary Bertini
- James DePreist
- Eliahu Inbal
- Kazushi Ōno
Principal guest conductors
Awards
- Kyoto Music Award
- Japan's 50th Record Academy Award for Best Symphony Album
- Japan's 53rd Record Academy Award for Special Award
Note
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra tends to be confused with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
- 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 and Red Cliff.