It's summer! It's an orchestra festival!
Enjoy casually! Life with concerts
File.2 Festa Summer Muza KAWASAKI 2018
(Mitsuzo Mori / Music writer)
Festival season is coming.
When you think of summer festivals, many people probably think of outdoor rock or pop concerts, but the classical music world actually loves summer festivals too.
The classic season begins in the fall, and a variety of events, large and small, flourish during the off-season.
Starting with the Salzburg Festival, which is held in Mozart's birthplace, there is the Bayreuth Festival, which was founded by Wagner himself, the BBC Proms, which is a hit with cool Brits, and the Lucerne Festival, which is held in a scenic Swiss resort.
In Japan, some people may think of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (formerly known as Saito Kinen).
Among these, one event that orchestra enthusiasts look forward to every year is Festa Summer Musa Kawasaki, which has been held since 2005.
The Musa Kawasaki Symphony Hall is famous for its excellent acoustics, which have been praised by maestros around the world. You can enjoy performances by major orchestras in the Tokyo metropolitan area on a daily basis while enjoying the sound. It's a luxurious music festival you won't want to miss.
What's more, the relatively low price is a plus.
I personally picked out three programs from the festival, which will run for about three weeks.
First up is the opening concert of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, whose home ground is Musashino Kawasaki.
Knott & Tokyo Symphony Orchestra x Jazz Superstars
■July 21st (Sat) 15:00 start
https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/calendar/detail.php?id=2282
The orchestra's current music director, Jonathan Nott, has been a guest conductor with many of the world's leading orchestras, and with him personally at the baton, this is a performance not to be missed.
The program also features an aggressive Gershwin performance, featuring jazz pianist Junko Onishi, and Bernstein, whose 100th birthday is being celebrated, as I mentioned in my last column. It's as if the audience will be swept up in a frenzy right from the opening.
The second program is a listening to the works of French composer Saint-Saëns by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.
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 "with Organ" combines the pipe organ, a symbol of the hall, with the orchestra to create a thrilling sensuality.
Get intoxicated.
And the violin concerto will be performed by Mayuko Kamio, winner of the 2007 Tchaikovsky Competition.
Please listen intently.
©Shion Isaka
The third is a Masaaki Suzuki recital, with the hope that people will be able to immerse themselves in the majestic sound of the pipe organ without an orchestra.
The concert will feature all of Bach's works, including "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," which anyone will recognize if they hum along to the song "Charara~."
Masaaki Suzuki Pipe Organ Recital
Midsummer Bach III
■August 11th (Sat/Holiday) 18:00 start
*Doors open at 17:00 / Lobby concert from 17:20
https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/calendar/detail.php?id=2290
©Marco Borggrve
Suzuki is a world-renowned Bach performer and researcher who has won numerous awards. The soul of Bach emanating from the organ, which has 5,248 pipes, resonates in the hearts of listeners as sound = vibration.
Wow, festivals are really great.
《Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki 2018》
Dates: July 21st (Sat) - August 12th (Sun), 2018
Venue: Musa Kawasaki Symphony Hall, Showa University of Music Teatro Giglio Showa
*Please see below for details
http://www.yaf.or.jp/mmh/recommend/2018/05/20-100.php
