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 as well.
The classic season begins in the fall, and many large and small events take place during the off-season.
Starting with the Salzburg Festival, which is held in Mozart's birthplace, there is the Bayreuth Festival, which Wagner himself founded, the BBC Proms, which is usually a hit with cool British people, and the Lucerne Festival, which is held in the scenic Swiss resort area.
In Japan, some people may think of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (formerly known as Saito Kinen).
Meanwhile, one event that orchestra enthusiasts look forward to every year is Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki, which has been held since 2005.
The Musa Kawasaki Symphony Hall is famous for its excellent acoustics, which are highly praised by maestros around the world. You can enjoy the sound and the performances of major orchestras in the Tokyo metropolitan area on a daily basis. You can't miss out on such a luxurious music festival.
What's more, the relatively low price is a plus.
I personally picked out three programs from the festival, which will last 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 × 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, is a talented musician who has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras. This performance, in which he himself will be conducting, is one not to be missed.
Moreover, the program featured an aggressive Gershwin performance, with jazz pianist Junko Onishi as the guest. And Bernstein, who I introduced in my last column, is getting excited about his 100th birthday. Right from the opening, it seemed like the audience was going to be swept up in a frenzy.
The second program is a listen to the works of French composer Saint-Saëns by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Exquisite French Cuisine II - The Genius Saint-Saëns
■Friday, August 3rd, 7pm start
*Doors open at 15:00 / Public 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, the hall's symbol, 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 with rapt attention.
©Shion Isaka
The third is a Masaaki Suzuki recital, with the hope that listeners will be able to immerse themselves in the majestic sound of the pipe organ without the presence of an orchestra.
This is a concert of all of Bach's works, including "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," which anyone will recognize if they hum along to the song "Chararara...."
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, will resonate in the hearts of those who listen to it as sound = vibration.
Wow, festivals are really great.
《Festa Summer Muza Kawasaki 2018》
Date: 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
