TOYAMA, Yuzo

Born in 1931 in Tokyo, Yuzo Toyama studied composition at the Tokyo Music School (now the Faculty of Music of the Tokyo University of the Arts).  While attending the most prestigious musical academy in Japan, he was one of the winners in the 20th Music Competition in Japan for his composition “Pieces (3) Caractéristiques pour clarinette, basson, et piano.”  Upon his graduation in 1952, he was accepted by the NHK Symphony Orchestra as a percussion trainee, and in 1954 he became a conducting student with the orchestra. He made his conductor debut in September 1956, conducting the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and embarked on a remarkable career guest-conducting many orchestras. From 1958 to 1960, he studied in Vienna. In 1960, he joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra on its world tour, which promoted his name not only as a conductor but also as a composer with his “Rhapsody for Orchestra.
Yuzo Toyama led the NHK Symphony Orchestra on its international tours again in 1964, 1966 and 1979, and was appointed its permanent conductor in 1979. In 1985, he and the NHK Symphony Orchestra were invited to perform at the 40th anniversary concert of the United Nations in New York, which was broadcast worldwide.
In Japan, Yuzo Toyama was appointed to important posts with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and Osaka Symphony Orchestra.  In the field of opera conducting, he was highly regarded for his meticulous music making. And as a versatile composer, he wrote operas, symphonies, chamber music, lieder and choir pieces. 
Yuzo Toyama received numerous prestigious Japanese awards including the Otaka Award in 1963 and 2000, Arima Award in 1981, Suntory Award in 1983, Minister of Education Award in 1999, Cultural Award by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) in 2010, and Akeo Watanabe Music Fund Special Award in 2017.  
Yuzo Toyama served as Permanent Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra and Honorary Conductor of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra until his death on July 11, 2023 at the age of 92.