Death of a leading Japanese conductor

We have been notified of the death of the international Japanese conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama, at the age of 84.

Music director of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra for four decades, 1964 to 2004, he was transformational leader of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 1972 to 1985. He also headed the American Symphony Orchestra for five years and was principal conductor in Hiroshima.

In Europe. he guest-conducted the RPO, WDR and Bayerische Rundfunk.

Among other historic achievements, he conducted the first Japanese performance of Schoenberg’s opera, Moses und Aron and of John Adams’ El Niño.

He retired from conducting this month after suffering spinal damage from a fall at home.
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