NHK Symphony Orchestra

NHK Symphony Orchestra was established on October 5, 1926 under the name the New Symphony Orchestra, and laid its foundation as Japan's leading orchestra under the direction of Joseph Rosenstock who was invited from Germany shortly after that. Its subscription concerts, the mainstay of its performances, began on February 20th, 1927, and they have continued to date without any interruption even during the Second World War. In 1951, it came under the financial support of Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and was renamed the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Since then, it has continuously invited world-renowned conductors, such as Jean Martinon, Herbert von Karajan, Wilhelm Schüchter, Ernest Ansermet, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Lovro von Matacic, Joseph Keilberth, Pierre Boulez, Otmar Suitner, Horst Stein, André Previn, and Lorin Maazel, and the world's most sought-after soloists to produce outstanding performances which have gone down in history. The orchestra marks its 100th anniversary in 2026.