The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Shotaro Kageyama as First Concertmaster, effective September 1, 2025.
- His first performance with our orchestra as Guest Concertmaster was on August 9, 2015, at the Festa Summer Muza KAWASAKI 2015 Finale Concert, conducting Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” under the late Kazuyoshi Akiyama (Conductor Laureate).
- Since then, he has performed with us three times, leading to this appointment.
Going forward, he will work alongside Issei Kobayashi and Gleb Nikitin in a three-person system for our orchestra’s activities.
● Shotaro KAGEYAMA
Graduated with top honors from Tokyo University of the Arts after attending its affiliated high school, winning the Mitsubishi Estate Award, Ataka Award, and Acanthus Music Award. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed with Tadaaki Otaka, Ken Takaseki, Anna-Maria Helsing, Joseph Trafton, the Leipzig String Quartet, Fritz Drescher, Sadao Harada, and Johannes Moser, among others.
He has been invited as Guest Concertmaster by numerous orchestras, including the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, Dortmund Opera, and Aachen Opera.
He studied under Seiji Kageyama, Gérard Poulet, Takashi Shimizu, Lothar Strauß, Michael Vaiman, and Andreas Reiner. He also attended masterclasses with Daniel Gaede and Roland Daugareil.
While pursuing his master’s degree at Tokyo University of the Arts, he moved to Germany in 2011. After serving as Associate Principal of the Magdeburg Opera Orchestra, he held the position of First Concertmaster at the Hagen Opera Orchestra from 2013 to 2025.
● Comment from Shotaro Kageyama:
My first performance as Guest Concertmaster with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra was 10 years ago, playing Mahler’s “Resurrection” under the baton of the late Conductor Laureate, Kazuyoshi Akiyama. Being appointed as First Concertmaster in this unforgettable year for the orchestra brings an even greater sense of responsibility. The various encounters and experiences I gained during my 14 years in Germany have greatly contributed to my growth. I am fortunate to be involved in the final year of Maestro Nott’s tenure and look forward to welcoming Mr. Viotti. As a member of this esteemed orchestra, I am committed to creating and sharing rich musical experiences with all of you.
ⒸEiji Yamamoto