The "Wooden Hall" is back! Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall reopens after renovation

Feel free to enjoy!　Life with concerts
File.6 Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall
Mitsuzo Mori (music writer)

Should I say, welcome home?
Should I say thank you for your hard work?
I'm a little confused because the enemy is a building...
After completing approximately a year of renovation work, Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall, a music hall that can be called a treasure of Kanagawa Prefecture and which has produced many legendary performances, will be reopening on June 1, 2019.

Amazing architecture
Acoustic quality praised by renowned musicians as "the best in the East"
And above all, a diverse and fascinating program
I've been looking forward to it for a year. I missed you!
It opened in 1954, so this year marks its 65th anniversary.
The music hall, Japan's first public music hall, opened nine years after the end of the war, and its adjoining library were, so to speak, symbols of postwar reconstruction.
The building was designed by Kunio Maekawa, the father of modernist architecture who studied under Le Corbusier.
It takes about 10 minutes to walk up a slightly steep hill from Sakuragicho Station. The long, rectangular, low-rise building made of glass and concrete stands at the back of a parking lot, and has a refreshing impression without any excessive decoration.

To the left of the entrance is the all-glass lobby, which gives a wonderful open feeling.
In stark contrast to the exterior, the interior of the hall is made entirely of stately wood, which explains why it is nicknamed the "Wooden Hall."
The seating is sloped, which not only improves the acoustics but also makes the musicians on stage feel very close, allowing you to concentrate on listening.

Another music hall designed by Maekawa is the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Ueno, Tokyo.
This place is also a mecca for opera and ballet fans.
I truly believe that the impression of the hall is important when attending a concert.
Combined with good quality music, being there makes you feel a little more wonderful than usual.

First, let's participate in "Open Theater 2019: Sound, Experience Architecture, and Exploration at the Music Hall!" on June 1st, the opening day.
Along with events such as concerts and mini-lectures on architecture, this is a fun event that allows you to peek behind the scenes and under the floor, which are usually off-limits.

Along with the announcement of the reopening, this season's program was also announced.
It was worth the wait!
The festival is packed with carefully planned programs ranging from Baroque opera to contemporary music.
For more details, please see the hall's homepage >> , but here I will pick out some noteworthy performances based on my personal preferences.

First up is the "Shunsuke Sato and the Netherlands Bach Society Orchestra" concert in September.

Shunsuke Sato is a super-authentic violinist who has garnered overwhelming support from music-loving ladies to loud classical music maniacs (this may sound like an exaggeration, but it's true). He is also highly respected by contemporary composers, and last year he was appointed as the sixth music director of the Netherlands Bach Society, the home of Bach research.
This time, he will be leading his own troops in a debut performance. Let's celebrate this great achievement with the tunes of Bach.
A must listen!

Next up is the "Arditti String Quartet x Kenta Kojiri" in November
A collaboration between Arditti, the strongest group of contemporary music specialists, and dancer Kenta Kojiri, who has worked under the master choreographer Kylian in the dance world.

Collaborating with dance is Arditti's specialty, and he has previously created wonderful spaces for works by John Cage, so expectations are high this time as well.
Contemporary music is often thought of as difficult, but this small performance, which excels in musical expression, will be a stimulating experience both aurally and visually.

And one more thing.
The October performance is titled "500 Years After His Death: Unravelling the Mysteries of Leonardo da Vinci's Music."

The Renaissance master Da Vinci was also a musician!
Based on this hypothesis, or rather the material, Japan's proud early music ensemble Antonello will unravel the mystery through performance, singing and dance.
This is a world that far exceeds my imagination as I write this.
Well, I have to try it out!
Music and dance from the Renaissance period, which is older than the Baroque period, are something that we don't usually have much access to.
What do modern people think?

What do you think, everyone?
Honestly, the program exceeded my expectations.

Starting this season, a free shuttle bus will run from Sakuragicho to the opening time of performances hosted by the music hall.
It's nice to slowly climb the hill, but the bus is still a pleasant surprise.

welcome back.
These words were something that should be conveyed to all staff involved in the music hall.
And one more thing.
Thank you so much for always providing such wonderful performances!