In September 2001, Tatsuya Shimono took first prize the 47th Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors, an accomplishment that will no doubt confirm his recognition both in and outside of Japan. Prior to winning the Besançon Competition, he had already taken first prize (and the Hideo Saito Award) at the 2000 Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting.
From 1997-1999 Mr. Shimono has served as Conductor Trainee at the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, working with such conductors as Takashi Asahina, Yuzo Toyama, Hiroshi Wakasugi and Jean Fournet. And from 1999-2000, being awarded the Agency for Cultural Affairs' scholarship, he studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
Mr. Shimono has been invited to guest conduct major Japanese orchestras, and in Europe, his guest conducting appearances have begun with the Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra (Slovakia) and the Oradea State Symphony Orchestra (Romania),Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg(France),Opera National de Bordeaux(France)Wiener Kammer Orchester(Austria).
His first recording (Naxos) with the Osaka Philharmonic was released in spring 2002 and hit striking sales in Japan. For his outstanding musical activities in the recent years, Mr. Shimono received the prestigious Idemitsu award and Akeo Watanabe Music award.