A Spectacle of Sound:Autumn in Osaka Comes Alive with Music.
A Festival of Classical Music to Brighten up Osaka
2025/6/3
Osaka Classic 2025 Welcome Concert
The schedule for Welcome Concerts vol.3, vol.4 has been decided.
Click here for more details
2025/5/7
The Osaka Classic 2025 schedule has been set!
In 2025, it will be from September 14 (Sunday) until September 20 (Saturday).
Click here for more details
Osaka Classic is a week-long music festival with a concept set in the city of Osaka. With Midosuji and Nakanoshima areas as its focal points, the events feature performances in various places such as office buildings, hotels, and concert halls,
and are delivered by five distinguished professional orchestras based in Osaka.
From solo performances to ensembles and full orchestras, a wide range of programs will be offered.
Since its inception in 2006, inspired by Eiji Oue, who is a conductor laureate of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Classic has been a beloved event, allowing audiences to experience classical music in a casual and accessible way. Please enjoy a special week filled with wonderful music all over the city!
Established in 1970, the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. It remains a leading orchestra in the Kansai region, actively contributing to cultural and social initiatives.
Under the leadership of the world-class violinist Augustin Dumay as a music director, with Sachio Fujioka as a principal conductor and Masato Suzuki as a principal guest conductor, the orchestra continues to thrive. The late Taijiro Iimori (passed away in 2023) served as a resident conductor and the honorary conductor laureate.
The orchestra places a strong emphasis on community engagement, collaborating with Higashiosaka City and Kadoma City. They conclude the “Cultural and Artistic City Promotion Agreement” with Higashiosaka City and the “Lively Hometown with Music Partnership Agreement” with Kadoma City. They have been gaining popularity as a unique orchestra because of taking a new challenge with a constantly clear vision for their performances.
In 2023, they embarked on their second European tour (in 3 countries), receiving high acclaim at each place.
The orchestra also appears on the BS TV Tokyo’s music program, “Enter the Music” (every Saturday at 8:30 AM), with Sachio Fujioka.
Founded in 1923, the Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra is the oldest Japanese symphonic wind ensemble, affectionately known as "Shion."
Originally as a municipal organization, it was privatized in 2014 and renamed in 2015 from “Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band” into the current name, the “Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra.” With a diverse repertoire spanning classical to popular music, the orchestra has been committed to promoting music culture through concerts, brass band workshops, CD recordings, and media appearances.
They received prestigious awards, including the Osaka Cultural Festival Award (three times), the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Award, the Japan Wind Orchestra Academy for Performances, the Osaka Art Award, and the Naniwa Grand Award. The current music director is Akira Miyagawa, and artistic adviser is Kazuyoshi Akiyama.
Founded in 1980 as the “Osaka Symphoniker.” Their philosophy, championed by the founder Hiroko Shikishima, is “to create music that satisfies both performers and audiences!” Its passionate performances have been described as “a Cry of Soul” and “Sound of Passion.”
In 2001, it was renamed as the “Osaka Symphoniker Orchestra”, and then it became the current name, “Osaka Symphony Orchestra” in 2010.
Since April 2022, the orchestra has been led by Kazufumi Yamashita as a principal conductor, Masahiro Shibata as a music partner, and Tadashi Takahashi as a principal guest conductor, further solidifying the commitment to artistic excellence.
Takeo Higuchi, who was then CEO of Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., became the director of the orchestra in November 2018 after becoming a management director from April 2006. In October 2020, Keiichi Yoshii who is the President and CEO of Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., became the director of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra.
Established in 1947 as the “Kansai Symphony Orchestra” and renamed as the “Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra” in 1960. This is the longest-standing orchestra in the Kansai region. The legendary Takashi Asahina led the orchestra for 55 years as a general music director and principal conductor. Successive directors include Eiji Oue as the second music director and Michiyoshi Inoue as a principal conductor, with Tadaaki Otaka serving as the third music director since April 2018. The orchestra has been acclaimed from various fields for ambitious projects, including a cycle of all symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn. They host regular concerts (10 times annually and 20 performances) at the Festival Hall, their home, and various nationwide performances. In April 2024, clarinetist Daniel Ottensamer joined as an artist-in-residence, contributing to education for young musicians and children and further enhancing musical excellence.
Founded in 1989 and based in Toyonaka City, Osaka, this orchestra is a leading ensemble in the region. Their conductors include Norichika Iimori as a principal conductor, Kazuyoshi Akiyama as a music adviser, and Joe Hisaishi as a principal guest conductor, who will become a music director from April 2025. The orchestra hosts regular concerts at two venues. One is at the Symphony Hall, where they perform regular symphony concert, and special projects like the "Haydn Marathon," a cycle of all symphonies of Haydn and a recording project. The other is at the Toyonaka City Cultural Arts Center, where they perform a famous piece of music.
Their community outreach efforts include educational concerts, youth orchestra initiatives, and collaborations such as the "Toyonaka Machinaka Classic" and "Luciole Street Corner Concerts" in Shiga Prefecture. The orchestra celebrated its 35th anniversary in December 2024.
