The NHK Symphony Orchestra has announced today (6 October) that they will extend its contract with Paavo Järvi as Chief Conductor for an additional 3 years, until August 2021.

The NHKSO Chairman, Tamaki Imai commented “Since assuming the position of Chief Conductor in September 2015, Paavo Järvi has been actively presenting concerts with unique programs consisting of not only works by Beethoven, Bruckner and R. Strauss but also contemporary works, in which he is also well versed. In the special concert of Mahler Symphony No.8 Sinfonie der Tausend held this September to celebrate the Orchestra’s 90th anniversary, he captured the hearts of the audience with his refined conducting, combining both bolts of expression and attention to the most minute details, leaving a strong impression on the audience. He will be leading the Orchestra’s European concert tour which will take place in February / March, 2017. We believe that through the forthcoming European tour and a variety of other planned projects including CD recordings, he will further boost the NHK Symphony Orchestra’s reputation both at home and abroad. We hope the NHK Symphony Orchestra and Paavo Järvi will attract and delight more and more music lovers not only through live concerts but through television and radio as well.”

Paavo Järvi commented: “I have enjoyed my first season with the NHK Symphony Orchestra immensely and am delighted to extend the contract knowing that I will have the opportunity to work with these fine musicians over an extended period of time. We have much to look forward to in the upcoming year including both our first European tour in Spring 2017 and our first CD release with a focus on the orchestra works of Richard Strauss. This season is especially important as the orchestra celebrates its 90th birthday and tonight we celebrate an additional birthday by having the honour to perform as a part of Suntory Hall’s 30th anniversary celebrations here in Tokyo.”