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　The Kyoto Symphony Orchestra(KSO)was founded in 1956,as a municipal orchestra under the direct management of the Kyoto City Government,in order to create the new culture in Kyoto,hoping that it would contribute to the cultural promotion of the youth and the citizens of Kyoto.It is the fourth oldest orchestra and the only orchestra managed bya public authority in Japan.It had a period of intense practice led by Carl Caelus,the first regular conductor.In cooperation with singers from Nikikai in Tokyo,it performed“Mozart Opera Series”in 1959,and it won many prizes during its concert tours all over Japan.

　At that time KSO had only 40 musicians and known as an orchestra for Mozart works.However the second regular conductor Hans Joachim Kauffmann and the third, Tadashi Mori expanded its repertories to modern and contemporary music,and KSO cameto be an orchestra with 87 musicians.From 1967 to 1971,KSO was led by Yuzo Toyama, the 4th regular conductor,and Akeo Watanabe,the 5th.They performed three ballet music by Stravinsky under Toyama,and recorded Symphony No.2 by Sibelius under Watanabe,which was the first recording by KSO.At the same time it gave a lot of concerts all over Japan with both the conductors.

　In 1972,KSO gave the premier of Honegger´s“King David”under the baton of Kazuo Yamada,the 6th regular conductor and it has begun to show originality in its selection of music.

　Since 1973 the Government of Kyoto has been requesting famous Japanese composers to compose music with a theme of Kyoto every year.Some of these works were recorded by KSO,which won“The Japan Record Academy”.

　Now KSO with 87 musicians has about 90 main stage performances a year including 15 subscription and special concerts sponsored by Kyoto City,operas and requested concerts by other sponsors.

　In addition,it gives 14 comunity concerts in orderto familiarize the citizens with classical music and 16 students´ concerts as a musical education for young people.

　Since the new rehearsal studio for KSO was completed in 1989,when Michiyoshi Inoue assumed the post of the music director and the 6th regularconductor,KSO has made a lot of progress in performing under good surroundings.

　Since the year of 1995,Naoto Otomo has joined as a conductor of KSO and in the autumn of that year the Kyoto Concert Hall has been constructed as a basis for KSO´s performing.

　Now the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra is supposed to be one of the most attracting orchestras in Japan.