Japanese Award to Szolnok Conductor

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it recognizes the conductor of the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra, Izaki Masahiro with the 2020 Foreign Ministerial Award.

A press release by the Japanese Embassy in Budapest highlights that after winning Hungarian Television's International Conducting Competition in Budapest in 1995, Izaki Masahiro achieved remarkable success both in Hungary and abroad, and in 2007 he became the chief music director of the Town of Szolnok and the leading conductor of the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra.

After that, for more than ten years, he not only conducted concerts, but also managed the town's entire musical life as chief music director. It has especially been the Traditional New Year's Dance Concert conducted in Szolnok every year since 2011 that has won great acclaim for its outstanding quality, contributing to the promotion of musical relations between Japan and Hungary.

The Foreign Ministerial Award is given to individuals or groups who make an extraordinary contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Japan and foreign countries. The 2020 Foreign Minister's Award was given to 172 expatriates and 65 foreign groups.