About the TPO
The Toshiba Philharmonic Orchestra was created as a voluntary undertaking by amateur musicians and music lovers at Toshiba Corporation. Its members are drawn from many of Toshiba's offices, factories, laboratories, and subsidiary companies.
Established in 1989, with approximately fifty instrumentalists, the orchestra now numbers more than 110 members who meet regularly in Tokyo to practice on weekends. Since its earliest days, it has been conducted by Yoshinori Kawachi.
Over the years, the TPO has established an impressive performance history. It made its debut in April 1990, at Casals Hall in Tokyo. Later that year, the TPO established a schedule of regular semi-annual concerts in Tokyo, and has also presented special performances in other Japanese cities.
The orchestra supports itself by contributions from its members and proceeds from sales of tickets to its public concerts. As its reputation has grown, it has participated in cultural interactions with local communities in Japan, and has been invited to accompany regional choral groups and perform at the opening celebrations of new concert halls.
The TPO has benefited greatly from the guidance of several international conductors including Herbert Blomstedt, who have participated in special rehearsals in Tokyo. Leon Botstein, Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra, following a rehearsal with the orchestra in 1994, said: "I can hardly believe that such a wonderful orchestra can be made up only of employees of a single company." Carlo Maria Guida, conductor of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra of Italy, participated in a rehearsal in 1995 and exclaimed: " It's a great surprise for me to discover that the employees of a manufacturer of semiconductors in Asia should possess so deep an appreciation of classical European music!"
Famed American cellist Yo Yo Ma echoed these sentiments when he heard about the TPO: "It's wonderful! I've never heard of an orchestra made up entirely of employees of one company. It may be unique in the world. I'd love to play with the Toshiba Philharmonic someday!"
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