Enjoy the fresh tones created by young musicians in a historic music hall.

Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall, Japan's first full-fledged public hall, is celebrating its 68th anniversary.
The "Fresh Concert" presented by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra will be held at this hall on January 15th of the new year.
This time, the 16th time, we will be featuring Yuta Ito (trombone), who won first place in the brass section at the 18th Tokyo Music Competition, and Aya Yamaguchi, who won second place at the 2020 Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Graduate School Grand Prix Special Concert. Three people: Asumi (violin) and Yonemitsuki Sara (piano), who won the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman's Award in the 37th Kanagawa Music Competition Youth Piano Division High School Student Division. This young musician will perform with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra on a wonderful stage.

A concert with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, which he has dreamed of someday together, was held in this place, which is filled with many memories and longings of attending competitions since he was a child.
This time, such a dream came true, and we spoke to Sakura Yonemanki, a young pianist full of sparkling talent and hope. Please enjoy it until the end.

My impression of meeting Kisaki was literally sparkling.
It gave me the impression that it was so beautiful and delicate, yet full of hope. What kind of sound does this person play on the piano? I'm already excited.
The interview was held inside Kanagawa Art Hall. In the scene where we were the only ones who were able to borrow this time, and the hall was quiet, even the sound of Kisaki's heels echoed beautifully.
In such a situation, we immediately started the interview.

Please tell us why you chose to become a pianist.

My first experience with the piano was when I started attending music class in kindergarten. Then, when I was in elementary school, I started competing in competitions, but at first I felt frustrated because I couldn't win any prizes. I think that's probably when I started seriously aiming to become a pianist.

Have you ever been interested in other musical instruments?

Actually, I started playing the trumpet in a brass band when I was in 5th grade and became interested in brass bands. However, since my level of piano skills had improved at that point, I still chose the piano.

Have you ever had an experience where you almost gave up on the piano?

I've never felt like giving up, but there have been times when I've been confused about whether to choose a music high school or go to a regular high school. In the end, I decided to go to music school because I wanted to follow Yusuke Kikuchi, who was my teacher at the time, and he was a music school teacher.

Mr. Kisaki, please tell us the image of a pianist you aspire to be.

I want to become a pianist who can express my own personality. During a performance, there are moments when you can instantly get lost in the music, and I want to increase those moments. In the future, I would like to not only perform, but also become a teacher who can teach people various things.

What does “self-color” mean?
　
Especially the delicate parts. I believe that in a performance, it is important not only to be powerful, but also to have delicate parts that move people. So I want to improve my expressiveness even more.
　
What exactly does a piano mean to you?

Hmm, what is the piano...(at a loss) I've always had it by my side, and there's never a time when I'm not playing it...I guess it's just my life (lol)

Kisaki has won many awards at a young age, but if you remember the first time you won an award, please tell us.

When I was in the second or third year of elementary school, I won first place in a competition that I had lost to in my first year. When my name was called, I felt such a sense of accomplishment that I burst into tears and was so happy.

How do you feel when you take on a competition?

To be honest, until I was in middle school, I only entered competitions to win prizes. However, since I became a high school student, I started to place more emphasis on the process, such as practice leading up to the competition and how I feel, rather than the results. It's strange that the results are better when you're not conscious of the results than when you're conscious of them (lol)

Please tell us what you keep in mind when performing, or if you have any special thoughts.

It's not just about the technical aspect of not making mistakes, it's about making sure that you leave out at least one thing in your performance that conveys something.

Please tell us what makes Kisaki Raiiro different from other pianists!

Well... (lol) People often say that the high notes have a sparkling shine, so I guess that's why (Teru)

This time, we will be performing with the Kanagawa Philharmonic at the historic Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall. What are your thoughts?

I first visited the Ongakudo Hall for a competition when I was in fifth grade. I'm very happy because it's a place I've always admired and had fond memories of since then. And I'm really happy to be able to perform with the local orchestra that I've always dreamed of playing in my hometown.

In addition to introducing the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 that will be performed this time, please let us know if there are any highlights that you would like people to pay attention to.

In the first movement, he expresses his joy, and if he compares it to himself, he is happy to be able to perform together in this place.
The second movement is a retrospective part, so you can play it while thinking about the past, such as memories from the past.
The third movement is a lively song, so I think it can contain determination and a strong will for the future. I hope you enjoy it.

Does it match your future resolution?

Since I entered university, I have felt the harshness of the world, which is different from that of high school, such as the high level of the people around me, but I want to push forward without giving in and take on more and more new challenges. I think.

What is the source of Kisakurai's strength that allows her to work hard without giving up?

I have received guidance from many teachers both inside and outside of school. I want to respond to that sincere guidance!
I have a strong feeling that.

thank you very much!

As I listened to her talk, I was struck by how cute she was, even though she was calm, and yet had a very strong will, and how cute she was with a smile every now and then.
I was told that people often say that the treble is sparkling, and it's exactly how Kisaki-san imagined it.

Everyone, please come and see us for the 16th Fresh Concert.

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra “16th Fresh Concert”
[Date and time] Saturday, January 15, 2022, starting at 2:00 p.m.
[Main program] Mozart/Overture from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro”
Reicher/Trombone Concerto No. 2 in A major
Prokofiev/Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major Op.19
Tchaikovsky/Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op.23
[Fee] General 3,000 yen Youth (under 25 years old) 1,500 yen
[Support] Arts and Culture Promotion Fund Grant Project
[Sponsored by] Classical Yokohama | All Japan Piano Teachers Association (Pitina)