It's summer! It's an orchestra festival!
Enjoy it casually! A life with concerts
File.2 Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki 2018
(Mitsusaburo Mori / Music Writer)
Festival season is coming.
When you think of summer festivals, many people probably picture outdoor rock and pop concerts, but actually, the classical music world loves summer festivals too.
Since the classical music season starts in the fall, a wide variety of events, both large and small, are held during the off-season.
Leading the list is the Salzburg Festival, held in Mozart's birthplace; followed by the Bayreuth Festival, founded by Wagner himself; the BBC Proms, which captivates even the usually cool Brits; and the Lucerne Festival, held in the picturesque Swiss resort town.
In Japan, some might think of the "Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (formerly Saito Kinen Festival)."
Amidst all this, one event that orchestra lovers look forward to every year is "Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki," which has been held since 2005.
Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall is famous for its excellent acoustics, which are highly praised by maestros worldwide. To be able to enjoy performances by major orchestras from the Tokyo metropolitan area on a rotating basis while savoring those acoustics is a luxurious music festival that you shouldn't miss.
What's more, the relatively low price is a welcome bonus.
From the festival, which unfolds over approximately three weeks, I've personally picked out three programs.
First up is the opening concert by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, whose home ground is Muza Kawasaki.
《Knot & Tokyo Symphony Orchestra × Jazz Superstars》
■July 21st (Sat) 15:00 start
https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/calendar/detail.php?id=2282
Jonathan Nott, the current music director of the orchestra, is a brilliant talent who has made numerous guest appearances with world-class orchestras. The fact that he will be conducting himself makes this an event not to be missed.
Moreover, the program includes an aggressive Gershwin performance featuring jazz pianist Junko Onishi, and Bernstein, whose 100th birthday is being celebrated, as mentioned in the previous column. It seems we'll be swept up in a whirlwind of excitement right from the opening.
The second program features the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra performing works by the French composer Saint-Saëns.
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Exquisite French Cuisine II ~ The Genius Saint-Saëns
■August 3rd (Friday) 19:00 start
*Doors open at 15:00 / Open rehearsal from 15:30
https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/calendar/detail.php?id=2277
Symphony No. 3, "Organ Symphony," is a thrilling and sensual fusion of the hall's iconic pipe organ and orchestra.
Get drunk.
And then there's the Violin Concerto, performed by Mayuko Kamio, the winner of the 2007 Tchaikovsky Competition.
Please enjoy the music.
©Shion Isaka
Thirdly, with the desire to have people immerse themselves in the majestic sound of the pipe organ without an orchestra, I'm pushing for Masaaki Suzuki's recital.
This concert features a complete collection of Bach's works, including "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," a piece that everyone will instantly recognize if they hum "Charara~."
Masaaki Suzuki Pipe Organ Recital
Bach in Midsummer III
■August 11th (Sat/Holiday) 18:00 start
*Doors open at 17:00 / Lobby concert starts at 17:20
https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/calendar/detail.php?id=2290
©Marco Borggrve
Ms. Suzuki is a world-renowned Bach performer and researcher with numerous awards to her name. The soul of Bach emanating from her organ, which has 5,248 pipes, will surely resonate in the hearts of listeners as sound—as vibrations.
Wow, festivals are really great, aren't they?
《Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki 2018》
Dates: July 21st (Sat) - August 12th (Sun), 2018
Venue: Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Showa University of Music Teatro Giglio Showa
*See below for details.
http://www.yaf.or.jp/mmh/recommend/2018/05/20-100.php
