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File.4 Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall Yokohama Bank Presents Children's Future Music Program "Children's Organ Dollar Concert"
(Inoue Miyuki/Copywriter)
The "One Dollar Organ Concert" is one of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall's most popular events. For just one dollar (or 100 yen), you can listen to a full-scale organ concert in the hall, and there is always a long line before the doors open.
Among the eight concerts held each year, the Yokohama Bank Presents Children's Future Music Program "Children's Organ Dollar Concert" was held in August, which even infants can attend. After checking that the program is not "for children" but that adults can enjoy it as well, and that there is no age limit for admission, I decided to go.
We visited during an event where children as young as 0 years old were allowed in, so there were many mothers pushing strollers at the entrance. How lucky these babies are to be exposed to real music from such an early age! We're sure they will grow up to be sensitive adults.
By the way, at children's concerts there is a stroller parking area in the lobby, so you don't have to worry.
Admission fee is 100 yen for both adults and children.
Since it is a "$1 concert," you can pay with $1 bills or coins, but you can also pay with IC cards such as Suica.
© Hiradate Taira
Finally, we enter the great hall.
I was a little worried because there was a long line before the doors opened, but the large hall with 2020 seats was not affected. It's best to line up early to get your favorite seat, but if you arrive 5 minutes before the show starts, it seems like there will be no problem.
According to the hall staff, for a pipe organ concert, the third floor seats are recommended if you value good acoustics. If you want to enjoy the concert at the same height as the organ, the second floor seats are recommended, and if you want to see it up close, the seats on the side of the stage are recommended. It seems like it would be fun to choose according to your mood that day.
© Hiradate Taira
The organ installed in the main hall is made by the American company CB Fisk. It has been nicknamed "Lucy," which means "light," fitting for its bright, sparkling tone. The hall itself was designed with the organ in mind, so the whole hall resonates as one musical instrument, and the audience feels as if they are enveloped in the sound of the organ. (From the hall's website)
© Hiradate Taira
This is a seagull carving on a case made of Honduran mahogany. It's a lovely design that exudes Yokohama-like esprit. Look carefully as it's located under the central line of pipes and above the music stand.
Since there was still some time before the show started, I stopped by the drink corner to quench my thirst. Unlike evening concerts, the foyer was filled with bright sunlight, so a chilled white wine was the perfect match.
By the way, a glass of wine comes with snacks and costs 400 yen. This is also bliss.
And finally the concert begins.
You can enjoy the album with peace of mind, as it features pieces you've probably heard before, including JS Bach, which you may have learned at school.
"Aquarium" from Saint-Saëns' "The Carnival of the Animals" is impressive for the mysterious sound of the "celesta" built into the pipe organ, which sounds like a glockenspiel. "The Swan" is soothing to the soul with its simple organ-like tone.
The final piece of the 40-minute concert was from Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance." The pipe organ, with its diverse tones, is sometimes called a "one-man orchestra," and the magnificent performance, worthy of that nickname, gave me energy and made me think, "Let's do our best in the afternoon!"
On this day, there was a souvenir sale of "Animal Sables" as part of the "Children's Organ for $1 Plus" campaign. It seems to be a collaboration with the "Nogeyama Zoo Carnival" to be held two days later, and a set of penguin, giraffe, and lion sables was on sale. I'm a sucker for the "limited time" special feeling, so of course I bought some to take home. This was another fun part.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall
"One Dollar Organ Concert"
■ Wednesday, October 10th 12:10pm performance Balint Karosi
*$1 per night! Show starts at 7pm
■November 28th (Wednesday) 12:10pm start Yasuko Harada
2019
■January 23 (Wednesday) 12:10pm performance by Nahomi Shiga
■Wednesday, February 27th 12:10pm performance by Eric Suter
■March 20th (Wednesday) 12:10pm performance by Satoko Kawagoe
"Organ Concert for Children from 0 Years Old"
■September 5th (Wednesday) 11:00 start/14:00 start
*For more information
http://www.yaf.or.jp/mmh/index.php
