Fumiaki Kuriyama

Career Trajectory

Emerging from the Japanese conducting tradition under the mentorship of Masamitsu Takashina and choral specialist Nobuaki Tanaka, Kuriyama established himself as a conductor of uncommon sensitivity to the demands of large vocal ensembles. His career has been defined by a deep engagement with European choral-symphonic masterworks—from Wagner and Britten to Mahler and Orff—conducted with the New Japan Philharmonic and through his leadership of the Rittoyukai. Now in his established phase, he holds positions as Music Director of the Rittoyukai, Artistic Director of the Iwami Arts Theater, and Professor Emeritus at Musashino Academia Musicae, roles that reflect his standing as both a practicing conductor and influential pedagogue.