- SUNTORY HALL
- Global projects
- Suntory Hall International Program for Music Composition
Global projects
Suntory Hall International Program for Music Composition
This series was inaugurated in 1987 under the supervision of Toru Takemitsu, and each year, it has invited a different “Theme Composer” and commissioned him/her a new orchestral work that is premiered during the Summer Festival.
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History and Achievements
Musicologist Yuji Numano looks back at the 35 years of the “Suntory Hall International Program for Music Composition”, and considers its role and significance in the context of the contemporary music scene.
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2012 - : Toshio Hosokawa, Artistic Director
Toshio Hosokawa assumed his position as the director of the Series from 2013. The switchover from Takemitsu to Yuasa, then from Yuasa to Hosokawa is extremely suitable and understandable. The meaning of the word “international” will be shifted on account of Hosokawa who knows European music scene much better than the former directors.
Kaz Ishikawa
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1999 - 2011: Joji Yuasa, Artistic Director
After Takemitsu’s death, composer Joji Yuasa was appointed Artistic Supervisor of the Series. During his leadership, he diversified the lineup, shedding light on composers that were not chosen by his predecessor, and also commissioning composers of the younger generation.
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1986 - 1998: Toru Takemitsu, Artistic Director
The first Artistic Supervisor, Toru Takemitsu, who had received many commissions from abroad, recognized the importance of commissioning new compositions from Japan. As the first Japanese composer to gain international acclaim, he used his wide network to commission new music compositions from several world-class composers.
