Page 982 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

became the Japan Symphony Orchestra and then took its current name in 1951, after the
nation's broadcaster stepped in to provide financial support.

Conductors to have held roles at the NHK Orchestra in the past include Vladimir
Ashkenazy, Charles Dutoit, Wolfgang Sawallisch (an honorary conductor from 1967 to

1994), and Herbert Blomstedt, who has served as honorary conductor since 1986. The
orchestra's current chief conductor is Fabio Luisi.

Recommended recording:

Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo/ Paavo
Järvi RCO 88985391762

'Of the generalisations trotted out about Japanese playing, those about fine-tuning and

focus turn out to be absolutely true; the one about lack of emotion completely false.' Read
our review here.

• Buy on Presto Classical

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

The SSO is (by a whisker) the second youngest orchestra on our list, having been founded

as recently as 1978. That's a quick rise to becoming, on current form, one of the best
orchestras in the world. Among its notable features are its principal concert venue, the
sinuous and futuristic Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

The SSO has already made a healthy number of recordings with labels including BIS
Records. Its catalogue includes the first recording of the complete cycle of Alexander

Tcherepnin's six piano concertos and four symphonies on BIS. There was also a much-
praised 2007 recording of Debussy's La Mer. Here's our guide to Debussy's La Mer.

Recommended recording:

Shostakovich: Jazz & Variety Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton BIS BIS-
2472 (CD/SACD)

Read our review here.

• Buy from EuropaDisc

• Buy from Presto Classical