Kazushi Ono
© Rikimaru Hotta
meticulous command
Conductor
Music Director, Brussels Philharmonic
Artistic Director, New National Theatre, Tokyo
Artistic Advisor, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
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‘The crystalline clarity he brought to the most complex textures, meticulous highlighting of each important line, and his command of the overall architecture contributed to making this a rewarding experience’
Bachtrack
Kazushi Ono, Music Director of the Brussels Philharmonic and Artistic Director of the New National Theatre Tokyo, is defined by an innate musicality and a reputation as a humble collaborator. For Ono, the spotlight remains firmly on the score; this philosophy has led to record-breaking tenures, including the longest leadership in the history of the NNTT.
His authority is rooted in a direct European lineage. As a protégé of Wolfgang Sawallisch and Giuseppe Patané, he inherited the German symphonic core and the intricacies of bel canto first-hand. Far from a mere observer, Ono is an authentic custodian of these traditions, possessing a profound "insider" understanding of Slavic, Latin, and Germanic musical languages.
Also a champion of the music of our time, Ono has made new commissions a cornerstone of every major relationship. He is a trusted partner for composers such as Mark-Anthony Turnage, Toshio Hosokawa, and George Benjamin, seamlessly integrating the classical canon with pioneering world premieres. In every collaboration, his focus remains: serving the integrity and evolution of the composer’s voice.
‘My ideal orchestral sound is one that grows upwards, like a great cathedral. To create this sort of dimensional sound, you need a steady foundation, beautifully constructed walls and many sonorities in between’
Kazushi Ono
