Sapporo Symphony Orchestra

The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra (札幌交響楽団 Sapporo Kokyo Gakudan) 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

The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Hokkaido. Its subscription concerts take place regularly at the Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara and the office is also located in Kitara.

History

• 1961 Started as the Sapporo Citizen Symphony and had the first subscription concert
• 1962 Announced itself as the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra
• 1975 U.S./West Germany Tour
• 1981 Started concerts in Tokyo and Osaka (Tokyo only at present)
• 1992 South East Asia Tour (also in year 1994)
• 2001 U. K. Tour
• 2005 South Korea Tour
• 2007 Celebrated the 500th subscription concert
• 2008 Announced a position of the principal guest conductor
• 2009 Authorized as the Public Interests Corporation

Conductors

• Masao Araya (First Principal Conductor) <1961-1968>
• Peter Schwarz (Second Principal Conductor) <1969-1975>
• Hiroyuki Iwaki (Principal Conductor, then Music Director, later Conductor Laureate) <1975-1987>
• Kazuyoshi Akiyama (Music Advisor, later Principal Conductor) <1988-1998>
• Tadaaki Otaka (Resident Conductor) <1981-1986>(Principal Conductor, then Music Advisor, later Music Director) <1998–present>
• Ken Takaseki (Associate Conductor, then Resident Conductor) <1988-1992, 2003–present>
• Radomil Eliška (Principal Guest Conductor) <2008–present>

Biography

The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Hokkaido’s only professional orchestra, has been affectionately known as “Sakkyo” to Hokkaido residents. The orchestra will mark its 50th anniversary in 2011. Based at the Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, which boasts some of the best acoustics in the world, the orchestra is distinguished by its clear sound and dynamic powers of expression that are inspired by Hokkaido’s vast natural beauty and charm. The orchestra has been engaged in every-active performances with its sights set on audiences around the world and continues to actively promote itself. The current conductors are Tadaaki Otaka, Music Director, Ken Takaseki, Resident Conductor and Radomil Eliška, Principal Guest Conductors. The orchestra plays over 120 concerts per year throughout Japan and has been invited to perform in the U.S.A., Germany, Southeast Asia, the U.K., and South Korea. It also releases a CD every year since 2007, with the recordings made at Kitara. The orchestra was authorized as a public interest incorporated foundation in October 2009.

Concerts

With 77 orchestra players, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra performs more than 120 concerts per year, with 2 subscription concerts for each program during every month between September to June.

Official website

http://www.sso.or.jp