On August 10 at 3 PM, prepare for an evening of nostalgia as esteemed Japanese conductor Yoshinao Osawa returns to the Philippine stage, leading the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in a special concert titled Nostalgia: Music from Movie Musicals and More! This event, taking place at the Aliw Theater, is free and open to the public.
With a program designed to evoke deep emotions and fond memories, the concert will take the audience on a journey through various worlds and eras, offering a mix of bittersweet nostalgia and awe-inspiring music.
The diverse repertoire promises to transport listeners to different times and places, blending happiness and melancholy in a performance that will resonate with all who attend.
Born in the 1950s in Tokyo, Japan, Maestro Yoshinao Osawa studied under the Hideo Saito Conducting Class at the Toho Gakuen School of Music. In 1974, he moved to Melbourne, Australia, where he began his conducting career. With the support of the Meyer Foundation, he quickly rose to prominence, becoming the permanent conductor of the Frankston Symphony Orchestra that same year.
By 1975, Osawa was conducting both the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra and the State Orchestra of Victoria. He later became the Music Director of the Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra in 1976 and the Honorary Guest Conductor of Korea’s Daegu Symphony Orchestra in 1977. By 1978, he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Taiwan Pro-Art Symphony Orchestra.
From 1976 to 1983, Osawa was at the helm of several Philippine orchestras, including the CCP Philharmonic Orchestra (now PPO), Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra. In 1984, he was named Principal Conductor of the Nissan Dream Concerts, leading to numerous engagements with orchestras across Japan, such as the New Japan Philharmonic, Tokyo Philharmonic, and many others.
In 1990, he began conducting the National Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, including their overseas tours. By 1996, he was honored as the Honorary Conductor of the National Izmir Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, a position he still holds. In 2001, he was appointed Music Director for Life of the Yoshida Kinen Orchestra of Tokyo.
For more information, visit the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. Stay updated by following the Center’s official social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube.
