Nagano's first conducting job was with theOpera Company of Boston, where he was assistant conductor toSarah Caldwell. In 1978, he became the conductor of theBerkeley Symphony, his first music directorship. He stepped down from this position in 2009.[3][4] During his tenure inBerkeley, Nagano became a champion of the music ofOlivier Messiaen and initiated a correspondence with him.[5] He was later invited to work with Messiaen on the final stages of his operaSaint François d'Assise in Paris, where he lived with Messiaen and his wifeYvonne Loriod, whom he came to regard as his "European parents".[6]
In 1982, Nagano conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in several ofFrank Zappa's completely orchestral compositions for the first time. Nagano recorded several of Zappa's pieces on the issueLondon Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1, where Zappa had personally chosen Nagano to conduct the orchestra. Nagano described this as "my first chance, my first real break".[7] In 1984, while assistant conductor of theBoston Symphony Orchestra, he stepped in forSeiji Ozawa on short notice and without rehearsal,[8] receiving acclaim from the audience, orchestra, andBoston Globe critic Richard Dyer for a "noble performance"[9] ofMahler'sNinth Symphony.
Beginning in 1985, Nagano was the music director of theOjai Music Festival four separate times, the last in 2004, and once alongsideStephen Mosko in 1986.
Nagano has a long history of inventive programming, particularly in the chamber music repertoire. He collaborated with Icelandic artistBjörk at the 1996Verbier Festival performingArnold Schoenberg'sPierrot Lunaire.
Nagano served as principal conductor of theHallé Orchestra in Manchester from 1992 to 1999. During his tenure, Nagano received criticism for his expensive and ambitious programming, as well as his conducting fees.[10] However, poor financial management at the orchestra separately contributed to the fiscal troubles of the orchestra.[11] His contract was not renewed after 1999.
Nagano became principal conductor of theLos Angeles Opera (LA Opera) with the 2001–2002 season. In May 2003, Nagano was named the LA Opera's first music director, and he retained this position through 2006.[12]
In 2006, Nagano became both the music director of theMontreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM) and GMD of theBavarian State Opera. His contract with the Bavarian State Opera did not allow him to be the music director of another opera company.[14] He concluded his Bavarian State Opera tenure in 2013.[15] With the OSM, he has conducted commercial recordings for such labels as ECM New Series. Nagano concluded his OSM tenure at the end of the 2019–2020 season.[16]
Nagano has served as one of theRussian National Orchestra's Conductor Collegium.[17] In August 2012, theGothenburg Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Nagano as its principal guest conductor and artistic advisor, as of the 2013–2014 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[18] In September 2012, the Hamburg State Opera announced the appointment of Nagano as its nextGeneralmusikdirektor (General Music Director) andChefdirigent (chief conductor), effective with the 2015–2016 season,[19] with an initial contract through the 2019–2020 season.[20] In October 2017, the company announced the extension of Nagano's Hamburg contract through 2025.[21] In 2017, he conductedJörg Widmann'sArche at the opening of theElbphilharmonie.[22] Nagano is scheduled to conclude his Hamburg State Opera tenure as GMD at the close of the 2024–2025 season.[23][24]
Nagano first guest-conducted theSpanish National Orchestra (Orquesta Nacional de España) in April 2021. He returned for subsequent guest-conducting appearances in June 2021 and April 2024.[25] In December 2024, theOrquesta y Coro Nacionales de España announced the appointment of Nagano as its nextDirector Artístico (Artistic Director) andDirector Títular (Chief Conductor), effective with the 2026–2027 season, with an initial contract of five seasons.[25][26]
Saint-Saëns, Andrew Wan, violin,Complete Violin Concertos (n°1,n°2,n°3), Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conductor Kent Nagano. CD Analekta 2015
Ginastera:Violin Concerto, Bernstein:Sérénade, Moussa:Concerto "Adrano", Andrew Wan, violin, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conductor Kent Nagano. CD Analekta 2019
^"Nio nya ledamöter invalda".Kungl. Musikaliska Akademien (in Swedish). October 8, 2020.Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. RetrievedNovember 28, 2024.
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, 2008[31]
Officer of the Order of Canada, 2024[29]
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, 2024[37]
