Around the Music Festival

Conductor Eliahu Inbal celebrated his 90th birthday on the 16th. Inbal happened to be guest conducting the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, where he serves as its honorary conductor, starting on the 15th.

On the 16th, after performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, “Symphony of a Thousand,” the orchestra, performers, and audience celebrated the maestro’s birthday.

Inbal was born in Jerusalem, Israel, and his real name is Eliahu Joseph. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and launched his professional career after winning the 1964 Guido Cantelli International Conducting Competition.

He later acquired British citizenship. In 1974, he became Music Director of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, building its golden age until his departure in 1990.

He subsequently served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy (1984-89), the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (2001-2006), the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (2009-2012), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (2008-2014). He has served as the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate since 2014.

Additionally, in 2018, he was appointed principal conductor of the Taipei City Symphony Orchestra. His term was extended until July 2025 during a contract renewal in April 2022, but he terminated the contract and stepped down in August.

PHOTO：Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra