Former Conductor of Tokyo Philharmonic, Yoichiro Omachi, Has Died at 90

A composition graduate of the Tokyo University of Arts, Omachi continued his conducting studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Hans Swarowsky. Conductors who were of significant musical impact to him included Herbert von Karajan and Karl Böhm, where Omachi had the opportunity to study with the former.

Omachi's career started taking off in 1959 when he conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, before becoming chief conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in 1961 for the next 10 years.

In 1968, at the City Opera House in Dortmund, West Germany, Omachi was the first Japanese conductor to be appointed as a permanent conductor in a European opera house. Across the Atlantic, he made his U.S. conducting debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1980.

Additionally, he was the first Japanese to conduct the Vienna State Opera under an exclusive contract, where he worked from 1982-1984.

Omachi held various positions throughout his life, including the Head of the Japanese Foundation in Cologne and professorship at Tokyo University of the Arts. Additionally, he authored books as “Classic Ongaku no Susume" which recommended classical music.

We offer our condolences to Mr. Omachi's family, friends, and colleagues.