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2026 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2026OMF) – Official Program Announcement

We are pleased to announce the lineup for the 2026 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2026OMF), which will be held over 18 days from Sunday, August 16 to Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

This year’s festival, now in its 35th year, will present four Orchestra Concerts, three Chamber Concerts, as well as the OMF Chamber Music Masterclass along with an Educational Program for elementary and junior high school students across Nagano Prefecture.

The Orchestra Concerts will welcome OMF Principal Guest Conductor Mo. Nodoka Okisawa and Mo. François-Xavier Roth, who makes his OMF debut, presenting works by Messiaen and Bruckner. The Chamber Concerts will offer a program commemorating the 30th anniversary of Toru Takemitsu’s passing.

We invite you once again to look forward to ”Summer in Matsumoto” and diverse programs that only the OMF can offer.

●Orchestra Concert - Kissei Bunka Hall
〈Orchestra Concert Program A〉
OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa will lead the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) in a performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie, a monumental masterpiece of 20th-century music.

This work has a deep connection with Seiji Ozawa, OMF Founder and Eternal Director. In 1962, Ozawa conducted the Japanese premiere with the NHK Symphony Orchestra under the supervision of the composer. Then in 1967, again with Messiaen present, he recorded a landmark performance with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra—an interpretation still regarded as definitive.

This will be Mo. Okisawa’s first time to conduct the work. Following the acclaim she received for last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten, Mo. Okisawa x SKO collaboration returns to tackle another major 20th-century work—sure to be a highlight of the summer.

The piano soloist will be Keigo Mukawa, who is based in France and highly regarded both domestically and internationally. For the Ondes Martenot, we welcome Takashi Harada, a leading performer who has played Turangalîla more than 350 times in 20 countries.

〈Orchestra Concert Program B〉
In Orchestra Concert Program B, Mo. François-Xavier Roth makes his OMF debut conducting SKO in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 (Haas edition).

Mo. Roth is a French maverick who founded the orchestra Les Siècles, which performs works from the 17th century to contemporary music, and has won numerous prestigious awards. He is regularly invited by orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Mo. Roth has served as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the SWR Symphony Orchestra since 2025, as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra since 2017.

Mo. Roth focused intensively on Bruckner’s symphonies between 2019 and 2023, releasing recordings of six out of the nine symphonies. His distinctive interpretations attracted considerable attention. Symphony No. 8, often described as the pinnacle of Bruckner’s spiritual expression, promises to reveal a fresh perspective through Roth’s uniquely imaginative structural approach.

●Chamber Concerts —The Harmony Hall

〈Chamber Concert I〉
Day 1 features Toru Takemitsu’s A Way A Lone and Entre-temps, paired with works by Ravel. Keigo Mukawa will join for the Piano Trio. Known for his deep affinity for French modern music and his complete recordings of Ravel’s piano works, Mukawa’s chamber music is highly anticipated.

〈Chamber Concert II〉
Day 2 presents Takemitsu’s Air and And Then I Knew ’Twas Wind, along with works by Debussy, whom Takemitsu deeply admired. Mukawa will again appear as pianist for Debussy’s Cello Sonata.

〈Chamber Concert III〉
On the third day, you will have the rare opportunity to hear the organ—considered the symbol of the Harmony Hall—for the first time in 18 years, since the 2008 Toru Takemitsu Memorial Concert. A rich variety of sounds will emerge from the collaboration between the SKO members and the organ.

Orchestra Concert

Orchestra Concert Program A

Aug. 22, 2026 (Sat) 15:00
Aug. 23, 2026 (Sun) 15:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)

Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa
Piano: Keigo Mukawa
Ondes Martenot: Takashi Harada

Orchestra Concert Program B

Aug. 29, 2026 (Sat) 15:00
Aug. 30, 2026 (Sun) 15:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)

Bruckner: Symphony No.8 in C minor, WAB 108 (Haas edition)

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: François-Xavier Roth

Chamber Concert

Chamber Concert I

- Ravel and Takemitsu — Ravel et Takemitsu -

Aug. 25, 2026 (Tue) 18:30
The Harmony Hall

Ravel: Sonata for violin and cello
　Violin: Federico Agostini
　Cello: Hiroyasu Yamamoto

Takemitsu: “A Way a Lone”
　Violin: Julien Szulman, Machiko Shimada
　Viola: Koichi Yokomizo
　Cello: Sumire Kudo

Takemitsu: “Entre-temps”
　Oboe: Philippe Tondre
　Violin: Julien Szulman, Machiko Shimada
　Viola: Koichi Yokomizo
　Cello: Sumire Kudo

Ravel: Trio for piano, violin and cello in E minor
　Violin: Tatsuya Yabe
　Cello: Dai Miyata
　Piano: Keigo Mukawa

Chamber Concert II

- Debussy and Takemitsu — Debussy et Takemitsu -

Aug. 28, 2026 (Fri) 18:30
The Harmony Hall

Debussy: Première rhapsodie
　Clarinet: Ricardo Morales
　Piano: Keigo Mukawa

Takemitsu: “Air”
　Flute: Sébastian Jacot

Debussy: Sonata for cello and piano
　Cello: Dai Miyata
　Piano: Keigo Mukawa

Takemitsu: “And then I knew 'twas Wind”
　Flute: Sébastian Jacot
　Viola: Yoshiko Kawamoto
　Harp: Naoko Yoshino

Debussy: String Quartet in G minor
　Violin: Jennifer Gilbert, Chisako Naoe
　Viola: Yasushi Toyoshima
　Cello: Nobuko Yamazaki

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238-Disc CD Box Set Released: A Collection of Seiji Ozawa’s Recordings Across Labels

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a 238-disc CD box set bringing together the recorded legacy of Seiji Ozawa, OMF Eternal Music Director Seiji Ozawa, was released through an extraordinary collaboration among record labels worldwide.

This release represents a remarkable and exceptional undertaking: multiple labels crossing boundaries to produce a large-scale box set dedicated to one single artist. The collection brings together recordings made with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, Vienna Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO).

The box set includes 47 recordings by the Saito Kinen Orchestra, spanning from its early years to later landmark performances. Highlights include November Steps by Tōru Takemitsu (1989), one of SKO’s early recordings, as well as Maurice Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les sortilèges, performed at the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 2013 and awarded the 58th Grammy Award.

For more details, please visit the link here.

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2025OMF: SKO Orchestra Concert to be broadcast on abn

On Sunday, December 28 at 10:00 am, Nagano Asahi Broadcasting (abn) will air a special program featuring highlights from the 2025 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, focusing on selected excerpts from the Orchestra Concert Program A.

The concert was conducted by the British conductor Alexander Soddy, who led performances of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 5 in the Orchestra Program A, marking the 50th anniversary of the Russian composer’s passing. Violinist Daishin Kashimoto, a close associate of Founder and Eternal Director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, Seiji Ozawa, appeared as the soloist in the Violin Concerto.

The program also features the OMF Chorus and the Tokyo Opera Singers that performed in the Orchestra Concert Program B.

<On-air Schedule>
Sunday, December 28th, 10:00am -
abn (Asahi Broadcasting Nagano)

Broadcast area: Nagano Prefecture, Japan only

2025 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival
Orchestra Concert Program A

<Program>
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor Op. 77 (excerpt)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 47

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Alexander Soddy

Reference Link: 2025OMF Orchestra Concert Program A

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Nodoka Okisawa makes her US Debut! - Conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra and captivates audiences

OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa made her US debut on November 6th in Boston, Massachusetts, conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), the orchestra where Seiji Ozawa served as Music Director for 29 years.

©︎ Michael J. Lutch

The concert began with the late Toru Takemitsu's early masterpiece "Requiem for Strings”, followed by a performance of Dvořák's Violin Concerto with violinist Midori Goto, who has performed with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa on several occasions in the past. The concert concluded with a performance of Dvořák's Symphony No. 7.

Seira Ozawa, the Representative of the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), attended the rehearsal and the performance on the 6th in person and reflected on them as follows:

Being in Boston, sitting at the Symphony Hall that I know so well as a child, on the first day of rehearsal, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

Nodoka conducting right in the center of Symphony Hall stage, among BSO members with some friendly faces from Dad’s time.

I think my father was also 38 when he started with the BSO. I'm sure Nodoka was nervous, being her very first time to visit USA and to be making music with BSO. But she was being her humble lovely self, down-to-earth, honest and straightforward as always, and it was immediately clear to me that the orchestra was fond of her.

I had the pleasure of listening to the opening performance sitting next to the CEO of BSO, Mr. Chad Smith. Not only was the performance passionate with Midori, but as the Dvořák Seventh movement progressed, the sound gradually became more and more like Okisawa's. Looking up amidst the music, I could see the golden “Beethoven” engravings on the ceiling, the beautiful heavy decorations, characteristic of Symphony Hall. The gorgeous frame protecting the stage, just as I always saw them above my father as he conducted the BSO. This is the Symphony Hall, which has protected the music of my father and the BSO for 29 years.

Immediately after the performance, someone shouted "Bravo" from the audience, followed by enthusiastic standing ovations from the music-lover-locals of Boston. I was so moved, I felt my tears coming up.

Congratulations, Nodoka! My heart is absolutely filled with so much joy as if something magical and wonderful happened to myself!

©︎ Michael J. Lutch

Nodoka Okisawa's debut performance was widely covered in the local media and received high praise.

The Boston Globe reviews Okisawa's conducting as follows:
“Making her debut on the podium, Okisawa expertly corralled the BSO during fully orchestrated passages, ensuring that the ensemble’s combined power didn’t subsume Midori’s subtle gestures. After intermission, Okisawa led the orchestra in a lean and vivid account of Dvořák’s searching Symphony No. 7, unleashing the full dynamic spectrum that had been benched during the concerto. 40 minutes somehow felt like 10.” (For full article, see here)

The Boston Musical Intelligencer also commented, “Thursday’s BSO concert opened with Toru Takemitsu, a perfect vehicle to reveal the elegant conducting of guest conductor Nodoka Okisawa.” (Full review available here)

Okisawa performed with the BSO over three days, November 6th, 7th, and 8th, captivating an audience of approximately 1,900 people each day.

At the 2026 OMF, Okisawa will perform Olivier Messiaen's "Turangalīla Symphony" with the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO). This work is a monumental work of 20th-century music, having had its world premiere in 1949 with Leonard Bernstein conducting the BSO, and premiered in Japan in 1962 with Seiji Ozawa conducting the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Don’t miss out on Okisawa and SKO performances next year!

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City of Boston honors Seiji Ozawa with the naming of “Seiji Ozawa Square”

On November 6, 2025, the City of Boston and Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) jointly dedicated “Seiji Ozawa Square,” to the OMF Eternal Music Director Seiji Ozawa. The unveiling ceremony for the new signage, accompanied by brief remarks, occurred outside of Symphony Hall, near the corner of St. Stephen St. and Massachusetts Ave. Among the speakers were Kenny Mascary, Interim Director of the Arts and Culture, City of Boston; BSO President and CEO Chad Smith; and Seira Ozawa, SKO Representative and daughter of Seiji Ozawa.

From the speech of Chad Smith
“Seiji left a legacy of passionate music-making, innovation, and mentorship that continues to inspire musicians and audiences worldwide. The Square is a symbol of how his contributions continue to resonate: the extraordinary players he hired, the audiences he inspired, and the shared memories that connect us across generations.”

From the speech of Seira Ozawa
“Dad believed in connecting with people, through music that came from his heart. He believed that we can go beyond nationalities, races, genders, or age, over any occupation, politics, or religion. He believed in the goodness of human beings.”

The ceremony coincides with BSO performances November 6 - 8, featuring artists and repertoire strongly associated with Seiji Ozawa. The OMF Principle Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa makes her BSO and U.S. debuts with violin soloist Midori, in Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony and Violin Concerto—works Ozawa especially loved. The program also includes Tōru Takemitsu’s Requiem for Strings, which the BSO has performed only once before, with Ozawa conducting it at Tanglewood in 1967.

Maestra Okisawa and Midori were among the attendees at the ceremony, which also included BSO musicians and staff, BSO Board Chair Barbara Hostetter, Consul General of Japan Seiichiro Takahashi, and Ms. Chieko Yoshida, the Consul for Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Japan in Boston.

Photos copyrighted by Boston Symphony Orchestra

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Media Coverage – Articles on 2025OMF

The 2025 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival has been featured in a wide range of media outlets. Here are some highlights (updated regularly):

▪️The Japan Times (Sep. 27)
Nodoka Okisawa is carrying the baton for Seiji Ozawa in Matsumoto

▪️Mainichi CLASSICNAVI (Sep. 12)
“Pick of the Month” – Creating World-Class Stages: OMF’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

2025OMF production of Britten’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" was chosen as a “Pick of the Month” by four music critics at Mainichi CLASSICNAVI.

"What stood out most in A Midsummer Night’s Dream was Laurent Pelly’s magnificent staging. From the countless tiny lights flickering through the darkness to the atmosphere of the fairy realm, the world was rendered with remarkable beauty. Though originally a production of the Opéra de Lille, it was well worth presenting here and proved a performance fully worthy of the festival’s reputation."─Hiroo Tojo (Music Critic)

▪️Bravo ONLINE (Sep. 3)
Nodoka Okisawa and Laurent Pelly deliver a rare balance of direction, orchestra, singers, and chorus—everything in perfect harmony

"With refined precision, OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa led the Saito Kinen Orchestra, bringing Britten’s craftsmanship to life and carrying audiences effortlessly between fantasy and reality. The music merged with Pelly’s dazzling visuals so seamlessly that sound and image united in a rare, transcendent harmony.──Complex as the tale may be, this staging made us lose ourselves completely until the last note. Its triumph lay in music, staging, and—above all—their seamless synthesis into an unforgettable operatic experience."─Toshi Kahara (Music Critic)

▪️Nikkei Shimbun (Sep. 2)
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival – Britten’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream": Lively Staging in Perfect Harmony with the Music

"Directed by Laurent Pelly, the production was a triumph. Shakespeare’s play interweaves three distinct worlds—fairies and magic, royalty and lovers, and the circle of artisans. Pelly’s staging skillfully balanced these elements with a touch of modernity, using wires, mirrors, and glowing effects to create a fantastical space that drew the audience directly into the action.──Conductor Nodoka Okisawa led the Saito Kinen Orchestra with a calm yet assured baton, eliciting a finely detailed ensemble and maintaining seamless coordination with the large cast onstage. Her fundamentally straightforward approach allowed Britten’s inventive touches—from sound effects to gestures aligned with the singers’ movements—came across with striking clarity.
The performance reaffirmed how the spirit of the festival’s founder, the late Seiji Ozawa, continues to live on in Matsumoto. The quality of the performance, along with the warmth of the audience’s applause, made that legacy feel vividly alive."─Mitsunori Eto (Music Critic)

▪️Mainichi CLASSICNAVI (Aug. 31)
Orchestra Concert Program B—Celebrating Seiji Ozawa’s 90th Birthday, Conducted by Christoph Eschenbach with SKO performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2

"As the performance progressed, the orchestra’s playing grew increasingly assured, and Eschenbach’s vision of Mahler gradually came into focus. Rather than striving to unleash the sheer force of a massive orchestra and create a wall of sound, his approach seemed to cherish each individual melodic line, highlighting the connections between them and the contrapuntal interplay. The way he carefully layered these elements, ultimately building toward an overwhelming finale, was truly masterful."─Kiwami Miyajima (Music Critic)

▪️NHK Nagano (Aug. 30)
Concert in Matsumoto Celebrates Seiji Ozawa’s 90th Birthday

▪️Mainichi CLASSICNAVI (Aug. 24)
Orchestra Concert Program A—SKO’s Power and Daishin Kashimoto’s Stunning Solo Leave a Strong Impression

"The second work on the program was Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, with Berliner Philharmoniker’s first concertmaster, Daishin Kashimoto, as soloist.──Kashimoto’s playing was nothing short of extraordinary: dazzlingly precise intonation in Shostakovich’s harmonically ambiguous and densely wrought score, paired with incisive, razor-sharp expression throughout. His resonant, commanding tone never once disappeared into the rich sonorities of the Saito Kinen Orchestra; instead, he consistently led with a presence that was both powerful and breathtaking. ──The main work, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, received a traditional yet deeply compelling interpretation. The sheer power of the SKO, combined with the brilliance of its wind soloists, elevated the performance to remarkable heights. Both the opening movement and the finale displayed the orchestra’s formidable potential, the coda, in particular, left an overwhelming impression: a surging wall of strings driving relentlessly beneath the blazing brass and pounding timpani. When the final chords subsided, the applause continued unabated long after the orchestra had exited. In a moment recalling the festival’s Seiji Ozawa era, Soddy and the entire SKO returned to the stage to acknowledge the audience’s thunderous ovation."─Kiwami Miyajima (Music Critic)

▪️Asahi Shimbun (Aug. 21)
(Review / Music) Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival – Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Subtle, Witty, and Rich in Virtuoso Interplay

"The international cast of singers carried their roles with remarkable finesse. Laurent Pelly’s production elegantly evoked the shifting starry skies of a midsummer night, as pajama-clad lovers hurled themselves into the dreamlike frenzy of romance, making inventive use of the production’s sole major prop—a bed. The exhilarating interplay between stage action and Britten’s score captured the very heart of the work.
Conductor Nodoka Okisawa drew out both the ethereal and the comic, shaping Britten’s music with clarity and cohesion while showcasing each soloist’s artistry. The result was a cohesive, vibrant performance.
Ultimately, the production reaffirmed how Ozawa’s vision—rooted in opera and symphony—continues to inspire and carry forward into the future."─Seiji Choki (Music Critic)

▪️Mainichi CLASSICNAVI (Aug. 18)
World-Class Opera from Matsumoto: Britten’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival

"Every aspect—singing, performance, and staging—was of international caliber, making this production a true successor to the late Seiji Ozawa’s vision of bringing world-class opera from Matsumoto to the world."─Haruo Yamada (Music Critic)

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Curtain falls on the 2025 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival! Join us for the 2026OMF: Aug. 16 to Sep. 8!

The 2026 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival will take place from Aug. 16 to Sep. 8.
OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra will take on Olivier Messiaen’s monumental "Turangalîla-Symphonie," a landmark of 20th-century music that will mark a new chapter in the Festival’s history. The work was given its world premiere in 1949 under Leonard Bernstein with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and its Japan premiere in 1962 conducted by Seiji Ozawa with the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Ozawa’s 1967 recording with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra remains a historic milestone.

With its vast forces of large orchestra, solo piano, and Ondes Martenot across ten movements, the "Turangalîla-Symphonie" is a work of immense scale and color. This performance will feature acclaimed pianist Keigo Mukawa, recognized for both artistry and technical brilliance, and distinguished Ondes Martenot player Takashi Harada, who has given more than 350 performances in 20 countries. Harada makes his third appearance at the Festival, following his performances in 1993 and in 2012’s "Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher."

In addition, the Festival will present a diverse lineup including orchestra concerts, chamber concerts, "Opera for Children" and "Concert for Children," as well as OMF Chamber Music Masterclass. Full program details and performance schedules will be announced at a later date. We look forward to welcoming you again to 2026OMF!

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Aug. 31 (Sun) Orchestra Concert Program B　Tickets for the Day Information

Orchestra Concert Program B
Tickets Information

Same-day tickets will be available at the Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan) from 1:30 p.m. on the day of the performance.

Aug. 31 (Sun) performance
Same-day ticket sales begin: 1:30 p.m. (S ¥25,000)
Doors open: 2:00 p.m.
Concert begins: 3:00 p.m.
Ends: Around 4:30 p.m. (scheduled)

We look forward to welcoming you!

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Aug. 30 (Sat) Orchestra Concert Program B　Tickets for the Day Information

Orchestra Concert Program B
Tickets Information

Same-day tickets will be available at the Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan) from 1:30 p.m. on the day of the performance.

Aug. 30 (Sat) performance
Same-day ticket sales begin: 1:30 p.m. (S ¥25,000)
Doors open: 2:00 p.m.
Concert begins: 3:00 p.m.
Ends: Around 4:30 p.m. (scheduled)

We look forward to welcoming you!

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2025OMF "Seiji Ozawa Day” Event Announcement

On Aug. 31, following the Orchestra Concert Program B, the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival will present a special event: "Seiji Ozawa Day".

From the founding of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto to today’s Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, OMF’s Eternal Director Seiji Ozawa dedicated more than 30 years to nurturing and shaping the musical culture of Matsumoto and Nagano. This year, in celebration of what would have been his 90th birthday, the Festival will host this special event together with the local community as an opportunity to honor his legacy and carry it into the future.

The program will begin with a traditional gunnery demonstration by the Matsumoto Clan Ancient Gunnery Preservation Society, followed by choral performances featuring both children and adults, and a joint concert by the Festival Band and local ensembles.

Admission is free and open to all. We warmly invite you to join us for this memorable celebration of Maestro Ozawa’s life and legacy.