Interesting? Muddly? Experience the fascinating relationship between dance and modern music!

"Arditti String Quartet x Kenta Kojima (Dance)" will be held at the Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall.

The Arditti String Quartet is a group of contemporary music specialists known for their super technique. Kenta Kojima is one of Japan's leading contemporary dancers who was active in NDT (Netherland Dance Theater). I was intrigued by how amazing it would be for them to collaborate. On the other hand, many people think that it may be difficult and have high hurdles.
Therefore!
Participated in the related project "Town Naka Talk Cafe" held at Yokohama Minato Mirai BUKATSUDO. I listened to Mr. Koji's story with the guidance of classical sommelier Yasushi Tanaka.

Kojima, who started ballet at the age of 3, stepped into the world of contemporary dance after winning the Lausanne International Ballet Competition at the age of 17 and moving overseas. It seems that he joined NDT, led by Jiri Kylian, because he was attracted to the freedom of creation that is not bound by rules.

Tanaka : What is the appeal of contemporary dance?

I admired Kilian's choreography, which seemed to visually express the music . Instead of looking at the sunset and saying , ``It's beautiful,'' use your body to convey how ``beautiful'' you feel. I can't explain it clearly, but when I saw his performance, I felt that way and thought, ``I want to dance this person's work.''

Is it quite different from Tanaka Ballet?

Ko㞍I have been doing classical ballet since I was 3 years old, so physical ballet elements are inevitable. I was conflicted about wanting to reduce that to zero, but when I was talking to my overseas colleagues, they said, ``Why not think of it as a way to communicate with your own body?'' Since then, I have continued to pursue new things without denying the classics that are within my body.

*In the second half of the talk show, two songs, "Goldberg Variations (JS Bach)" and "Once upon a time (Taro Hakase)" were performed with dance.

Tanaka : Are there any types of music that are easy to dance to, or music that is difficult to dance to?

There's a small one . The song by Wolfgang Rihm (1952-) that we will be dancing this time is truly ``the contemporary music.'' To be honest, it's music that's difficult to dance to, as it's packed full of sounds and leaves almost no room for movement.
Since this is a work written by Rihm when he was young, it contains the conflict and anger that comes with being young, and the intensity of the times when Germany was divided into East and West during the Cold War. I'm usually someone who doesn't show my anger or other emotions, but this time it's such difficult music that I feel like it can't work without showing outbursts of emotion and the struggles of trying to suppress them.

Tanaka : What was your impression when you first heard it?

Actually , I don't usually listen to contemporary music, so I was completely blown away by it. Why did I create this song? What is this? That's what it felt like.

Tanaka : Dancing to live music can be stressful.

It's small, isn't it? Things may not go as planned, but that's why communication with musicians is so important. I think that's the real thrill of live music. Moreover, this time we will be performing with the Arditti String Quartet, which is said to be the best in the world. I'm looking forward to it.

Tanaka : What do you want people to see or convey?

When I first heard this song, I was shocked and overwhelmed. However, such shocking emotions are simply not expressed in everyday life, and I'm sure you all have them too. I would like to express these feelings using my body.
It may sound lofty to say so (lol), but it's not particularly difficult. It's an emotion that everyone has at any given time, so if you witness it firsthand, I think it will lead to a familiar feeling like, ``Oh, that's it.''
Please come and experience it with us.

《 A question and answer to Kenta Ko㞍! 》

How did you like the talk show?
In large theaters, the seats are dark so you can't see the audience's faces. It was really refreshing and fun to be so close to the customers today.

Outside of the studio, where do you think about choreography?
Maybe a hot spring (lol). Relaxing and listening to the sound of water or looking at the sky in an open-air bath will help you organize your thoughts and come up with ideas for movement.

Did you go to a hot spring again this time?
It's quite difficult, so I've already done it quite a bit (lol).

Do you like modern music?
Actually, I didn't really like it. I had a complex and difficult image.
But this time, I was taught how to read music scores, and I learned about the era in which the composer was born, his social background, and his history, so I feel like I've gotten to know him a lot better.

How do you like the music this time (Wolfgang Rihm: String Quartet No. 3 <Chest>) ?
I've danced to contemporary music before, but this is the first time I've danced to a piece this difficult. I ask a friend who is a pianist to read the music sheet with me, and I check it while listening to the performance, but no matter how many times I listen to it, I still can't figure out what I don't understand. I understand that you are not good at it (lol).
But that's why I enjoy venturing into new territory.

What are the highlights this time?
The stage is a place where the performers, the audience, and I can experience the same sound at the same time and in the same space. From the perspective of ``listening to the same sound right here and now,'' I hope that people can experience dance, which has tended to be far away, as something close to them.
There are many things that I don't understand about what the composer Ream wanted to convey through his music, but I hope that I can represent the "scream" that young Ream felt through his music through his body and music. I would be happy if you could accept it with the joy and cries that you feel right now.

This concert will also include pieces by Japan's leading contemporary composers, Toshio Hosokawa and Akira Nishimura. Why don't you put aside the awkwardness of "I understand" or "I don't understand" and fully experience the world of contemporary music, which can be said to be the most cutting-edge in the world!

This event has ended.
Ongakudo Virtuoso Series 25
Arditti String Quartet x Kenta Koji ( dance)
[Date and time] November 30th (Sat) 15:00~ (doors open at 14:30)
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall
[Performance] Arditti String Quartet, Kenta Koji
[Price] (All seats reserved) General ¥6,000, Silver (65 and over) ¥5,500, Student (24 and under) ¥3,000
*Wheelchair seats available (1 accompanying person free of charge)

Kenta Koji ©︎momoko japan

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Applications for the giveaway have ended. Thank you for your many applications.

[Gift application summary]
We will be giving away tickets to 5 groups of 10 people to see " Arditti String Quartet x Kenta Kojima (dance) " which will be held at Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall from 15:00 on Saturday, November 30th.

【Application method】
If you would like to receive a viewing ticket as a gift, please apply by filling out the necessary information in the application form below.

[Application deadline]
Until 24:00 on Friday, November 15 , 2019

[Lottery/Winner Announcement]
Winners will be notified by email, so please be careful of your spam email settings. Emails will be sent from the Magcul.net Management Office (info.magcul@gmail.com).

Winners will be announced by contacting them via the email above. On the day of the performance, please present your winning notification email at the reception desk of the Kanagawa Prefectural Concert Hall. Our staff will give you a ticket (reception begins at 2:00 pm).
*The personal information you provide will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.