is a Japanese conductor.

Biography

Otaka studied composition, theory, and

French horn The French horn (since the 1930s known simply as the horn in professional music circles) is a brass instrument made of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. The double horn in F/B (technically a variety of German horn) is the horn most ...

, at the

Toho Gakuen School of Music is a private music school in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. History Toho Gakuen was founded in 1948 in Ichigaya (Tokyo) as the Music School for Children, and two years later moved to Sengawa (current address at Wakabacyo, Chofushi, Tokyo) and opened th ...

. He was subsequently a conducting student of Hideo Saito. Otaka has served as conductor of the

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra The is recognized as the oldest symphony orchestra in Japan. It was founded in 1911 and debuted at the original Matsuzakaya store in Nagoya as the . It relocated to Tokyo in 1938. As of 2005, it has 166 members. The orchestra plays frequently a ...

and became conductor laureate since 1991. From 1981 to 1986, he was chief conductor of the

Sapporo Symphony Orchestra The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra (札幌交響楽団 ''Sapporo Kokyo Gakudan'') is a Japanese orchestra based in Sapporo, Japan. Colloquially known as "Sakkyo", this is the only professional orchestra in Hokkaido. The orchestra gives its concerts a ...

, and since May 1998 held the titles of music adviser and principal conductor. From 1992 to 1998, he was principal conductor of the

Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra The is a Japanese symphony orchestra administratively based in Tokyo. The orchestra primarily performs concerts in Tokyo at the Suntory Hall, but also gives concerts at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. The orchestra also performs in Yokohama a ...

. He founded the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo in 1995, and has served as its music adviser, principal conductor, and honorary conductor laureate. In the UK, Otaka was principal conductor of the

BBC National Orchestra of Wales The BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) ( cy, Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC) is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional radio orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisatio ...

(BBC NOW) from 1987 to 1995. Otaka now has the title of conductor laureate with the BBC NOW. From 1998 to 2001, he directed the Britten-Pears Orchestra. In 2012, Otaka was named international president of the Welsh Sinfonia. In September 2009, Otaka was appointed principal guest conductor of the

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an Australian orchestra based in Melbourne. The MSO is resident at Hamer Hall. The MSO has its own choir, the MSO Chorus, following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008. The MSO relies on f ...

(MSO), effective as of 2010. After the sudden departure of MSO's chief conductor

Oleg Caetani Oleg Caetani (born 1956) is an Italian conductor. Life and career Born in Lausanne, Caetani studied with Nadia Boulanger. At the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, he studied conducting with Franco Ferrara and composition with Irma Ravinale ...

in October 2009, Otaka's role was accelerated for him to assume the post in late 2009. In May 2017, Otaka was appointed Artistic Advisor of the Sapporo Community Plaza. Otaka is currently Music Director of the

Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra The is a Japanese symphony orchestra based in Osaka, Japan. Founded in 1947 as the Kansai Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra took the name of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra in 1960, and in 2014, formally assumed the official name of the Osaka P ...

from April 2018. He took 2 months of medical leave from the orchestra in 2019.

Awards

Otaka was the recipient of the 23rd

Suntory Music Award The , previously known as the , designed to promote Western music in Japan, has been given by the Suntory Music Foundation since their establishment in 1969. The award is presented annually to individuals or groups for the greatest achievement in ...

in 1991. He received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1993, he also holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wales. He was appointed an honorary

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

in 2010. In 2000, Otaka became the first Japanese person to be awarded the Elgar Medal.Per remarks of

Katie Derham Catherine Beatrice Margaret Derham (born 18 June 1970) is a British newscaster and a presenter on television and radio. Early life and education Derham was born on 18 June 1970 in Canterbury, Kent to Margaret, a teacher, and John Derham, a chemi ...

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...

'
Sunday Breakfast program
28 February 2010

References

External links

Askonas Holt agency page on Tadaaki Otaka

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra page on Tadaaki Otaka
{{DEFAULTSORT:Otaka, Tadaki 1947 births 20th-century conductors (music) 20th-century Japanese male musicians 21st-century conductors (music) 21st-century Japanese male musicians Japanese conductors (music) Japanese expatriates in the United Kingdom Japanese male conductors (music) Honorary Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Living people Toho Gakuen School of Music alumni