Sokhiev to Become Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1926, the NHK Symphony Orchestra is one of Japan’s oldest professional symphony orchestras. It is based in Minato and performs at NHK Hall and Suntory Hall. Since 2020, the Italian Fabio Luisi has served as chief conductor of the 100-member orchestra.

Tugan Sokhiev, who was appointed music director of the orchestra, studied conducting with Ilya Musin at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In 2016, he founded the International Conductors’ Academy in Toulouse. He continues his commitment to young artists to this day through various projects, including the Vienna Philharmonic’s Angelika Prokopp Summer Academy, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, and the Berlin Philharmonic’s BEPHIL program at the Salzburg Festival. He will assume the position of chief conductor and artistic advisor of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande beginning with the 2026–27 season. In January 2027, he will conduct the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.