Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Conductor Laureate of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, passed away on January 26, 2025, due to pneumonia. He was 84 years old.

Since his debut with our orchestra in 1964, Kazuyoshi Akiyama has shaped our tradition and history for nearly 60 years. Together, we overcame difficult times including the orchestra’s financial collapse and reconstruction. In over 1,350 performances with our orchestra, he conducted numerous Japanese premieres of large-scale works with vocals by composers such as Schoenberg, Lachenmann, Adams, and Henze, leading our orchestra to numerous music awards. He was also deeply involved in the establishment of the Tokyo Symphony Chorus, collaborating with them countless times since its founding.

On January 1st this year, he fell at home and announced his retirement from musical activities on January 23rd to focus on treatment. While all orchestra members were sincerely hoping for Mr. Akiyama’s recovery, we are overwhelmed with sadness at this sudden news.

His last performance with our orchestra was the ‘MUZA New Year’s Eve Concert 2024’ on December 31, 2024.

Tetsuya Okazaki, Chairman of the Board, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra:
“Maestro Kazuyoshi Akiyama, who nurtured the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra as its Principal Conductor and Music Director, and continued to guide us with deep affection as Conductor Laureate until the New Year’s Eve Concert last year, has departed. I am at a loss for words at this sudden farewell. As someone who has admired him on stage for half a century, I am simply stunned by the sadness that I will no longer be able to hear Mr. Akiyama’s warm music. I have nothing but gratitude. I offer my deepest condolences.”

Yoshitaka Hirooka, Executive Director and General Manager, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra:
“Maestro Kazuyoshi Akiyama, who served as Music Director and Conductor Laureate of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra for over half a century, passed away on January 26th. Mr. Akiyama, with his wide-ranging repertoire, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra have together given numerous performances that will remain in music history, including Japanese premieres. We are shocked by this sudden news and still unable to accept the reality. Mr. Akiyama treated the orchestra members like family and established the warm tone that is fundamental to our orchestra. We express our deep gratitude to him and pray for his peaceful journey.”

We hereby express our heartfelt gratitude and deepest condolences for the late Kazuyoshi Akiyama’s immense contributions to the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the classical music world.

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

From the last subscription concert with Conductor Laureate Kazuyoshi Akiyama (724th Subscription Concert 《Celebrating 60 Years of Kazuyoshi Akiyama’s Conducting Career》 / September 21, 2024 at Suntory Hall) photo by N. Ikegami