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File.4 Yokohama Minatomirai Hall Bank of Yokohama Presents Children's Future Music Program "Children's Organ 1 Dollar Concert"
(Miyuki Inoue/copywriter)
Speaking of "Organ 1 dollar concert", it is one of the popular projects of Yokohama Minatomirai Hall. For literally 1 dollar (or 100 yen), you can listen to a full-fledged organ concert in the grand hall of your dreams, and every time there is a long queue before the doors open.
It is held eight times a year, and in August, the Bank of Yokohama Presents Children's Future Music Program "Children's Organ $1 Concert" was held. After confirming that the program was not just for children, but that adults could enjoy it, and that there was no age limit for admission, I went out.
When I visited, children from 0 years old could enter, so mothers with strollers were lined up at the entrance. How happy babies are to be exposed to real music from such a young age!
By the way, at the children's concert, there is a "stroller bicycle parking area" in the lobby.
The entrance fee is 100 yen for both adults and children.
Since it is a "1 dollar concert", you can pay with 1 dollar bills and coins, but you can also pay with IC cards such as suica.
© Taira Hiradate
Finally, enter the Great Hall.
There was a long line even before the opening, so I was a little worried, but the large hall with 2020 seats didn't budge. It's better to line up early to get your favorite seat, but if you arrive 5 minutes before the performance, you should be fine.
When I asked the people in the hall, they said that for a pipe organ concert, the 3rd floor seats are recommended if you want to focus on the good sound. If you want to enjoy the organ at the same height as the organ, you can choose a seat on the second floor, or if you want to see it up close, you can choose a seat on the side of the stage.
© Taira Hiradate
The organ installed in the large hall is made by CB Fisk, an American company. It is nicknamed "Lucy", which means "light", because of its bright tone. The hall itself was designed with the organ in mind, so the entire hall resonates as a single instrument, and the audience feels as if they are surrounded by the sounds of the organ. (From Hall HP)
© Taira Hiradate
This is a carving of a seagull on a Honduran mahogany case. The design is full of Yokohama-like esprit. It's under the pipes lined up in the center and above the music stand, so look carefully.
There was some time before the show started, so I quenched my thirst at the drink corner. Unlike concerts at night, the foyer is full of bright sunlight, so a moderately chilled white wine suits you.
By the way, wine comes with snacks and is 400 yen per glass. This is also bliss.
And finally the concert started.
Starting with JS Bach, which I remember learning at school, there are songs that I have heard at least once, so I can enjoy it with confidence.
"Aquarium" from Saint-Saëns "Carnival of the Animals" has a mysterious sound like the metallophone of the "Celesta" built into the pipe organ. In "Swan", the heart is healed by the simple tone of an organ.
The 40-minute concert concludes with Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance. The pipe organ, which has a wide variety of tones, is sometimes referred to as a "one-man orchestra," and the magnificent performance befitting that name cheered me up, saying, "I'll do my best in the afternoon!"
On this day, there was a souvenir sale of "Animal Sable" as "Children's Organ $ 1 Plus". It seems to be a collaborative project with the "Carnival Festival at Nogeyama Zoo" to be held two days later, and a set of penguin, giraffe, and lion sables will be sold. I'm weak in the special feeling of "just now", so of course I'll buy it and go home. It's also part of the fun
Yokohama Minatomirai Hall
《Organ 1 Dollar Concert》
■October 10th (Wednesday) 12:10 start Balint Caroshi
*$1 per night! 19:00 start
■ November 28 (Wednesday) 12:10 Start Yasuko Harada
2019
■January 23 (Wednesday) 12:10 start Nahomi Shiga
■February 27 (Wednesday) 12:10 performance Eric Suter
■ March 20 (Wednesday) 12:10 start Satoko Kawagoe
《Organ Concert from Age 0》
■September 5 (Wednesday) 11:00 start/14:00 start
*For more information
http://www.yaf.or.jp/mmh/index.php
