Enjoy the fresh sounds produced by young musicians in a historic music hall.

Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall, Japan's first full-scale public hall, is approaching its 68th year since opening.
The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra will be hosting a "Fresh Concert" in this hall on January 15th of the new year.
This 16th event will feature three young performers - Yuta Ito (trombone), winner of first place in the brass section of the 18th Tokyo Music Competition; Asumi Yamaguchi (violin), winner of the runner-up prize at the 2020 Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Graduate School Grand Prix Special Concert; and Sara Yonemitsu (piano), winner of the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly Speaker's Award in the high school division of the Youth Piano Section of the 37th Kanagawa Music Competition - who will be performing a wonderful show with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert was held in this place, filled with many memories and dreams as he has visited many times since childhood for competitions, and was with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, a group he had dreamed of performing with someday.
This time, we spoke with young pianist Yonemitsu Sakira, who has made that dream come true and is brimming with sparkling talent and hope. Please enjoy until the end.

My impression when I met Kisaki Rai was that she was literally sparkling.
I was impressed by her beautiful and delicate performance, which was filled with hope. I am already excited to hear what kind of sound she will produce when she plays the piano.
The interview took place inside Kanagawa Art Hall. In the silent hall, where we were the only ones present, even the sound of Kisaki Rai's heels echoed beautifully.
So we started the interview right away.

What made you decide to become a pianist?

The first time I touched the piano was when I started going to music classes in kindergarten. I then started entering competitions in elementary school, but at first I was frustrated because I didn't win any prizes. I think that's when I started to seriously aim to become a pianist.

Have you ever been interested in other instruments?

Actually, I was interested in wind instruments when I played the trumpet in a brass band when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. However, my piano skills had improved by that time, so I chose to study piano after all.

Have you ever felt like giving up on the piano?

I never felt like giving up, but I did find myself wavering between going to a music high school or a regular high school. In the end, I decided to go to a music school because my teacher at the time, Yusuke Kikuchi, was a teacher at the music school and I wanted to follow him.

Please tell us what kind of pianist you aspire to be.

I want to become a pianist who can express my own style. There are moments when I can instantly get into the music while playing, and I want to increase those moments. And in the future, I want to be a teacher who can teach various things, not just a performer.

What is your own color?
　
Especially the delicate parts. I think that in a performance, it's important to have not only power but also the delicate parts that can move people. So I want to improve my expressiveness.
　
What does the piano mean to you?

Well, the piano... (hesitating) is always by my side, and there is never a time when I'm not playing it... so I guess it's my life itself (laughs).

You have won numerous awards at a young age, Kisaki Rai. Do you remember the first time you won an award?

When I was in the second or third grade of elementary school, I won first place in a competition that I had failed in the first grade. When they called my name, I felt such a sense of accomplishment that I burst into tears. I was so happy.

How do you feel when you enter a competition?

To be honest, until I was in junior high school, I participated in competitions just to win prizes. However, after I became a high school student, I started to place more importance on the process, such as the practice leading up to the competition and my mental attitude, rather than the results. Strangely enough, I tend to get better results when I'm not conscious of the results (laughs).

Please tell us if you have any special thoughts or things you keep in mind when performing.

It's not just about the technical aspects, like trying to avoid making mistakes, but about leaving something behind in my playing and being able to communicate something.

Please tell us what makes Kisaki Rairo different from other pianists!

Umm... (laughs) People often tell me that my high notes have a sparkling quality, so I guess it's that (blushes).

This time you will be performing with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra at the historic Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall. What are your thoughts on this?

I first visited the Concert Hall when I was in the fifth grade for a competition. Since then, it has been a place I have longed for and have fond memories of, so I am very happy. And now, I am able to perform with the local orchestra, which I have always dreamed of, in my hometown, and I am truly happy.

Please introduce the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 that will be performed this time. Can you tell us about the piece and any highlights that you would like us to pay attention to?

In the first movement, he expressed his joy, his happiness to be able to perform together in this place.
The second movement has a nostalgic section, and it seems like it could be played while thinking about the past, such as past memories.
The third movement is a dynamic piece, so I think it will convey determination and strong will for the future. I hope you will enjoy it.

What are your future plans?

Since entering university, I have come to feel the harshness of the world that is different from high school, such as the high level of the people around me, but I want to keep pushing forward without being defeated and continue to challenge myself with more and more new things.

What is the source of your strength that keeps you working hard and not giving up?

I have received guidance from many teachers both inside and outside of school. I want to respond to their sincere guidance!
I strongly feel that way.

thank you very much!

As I talked to her, I sensed a calm yet strong will in her, and I was particularly impressed by her cute appearance as she would occasionally burst into laughter.
She said that she often gets told that her high notes sparkle, and that's exactly what I imagine Kisaki Rai to be like.

Please come and join us at the 16th Fresh Concert.

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra "16th Fresh Concert"
[Date and time] Saturday, January 15, 2022, starting at 2:00 p.m.
[Main performances] Mozart / Overture from the opera "The Marriage of Figaro"
Reicha / Trombone Concerto No. 2 in A major
Prokofiev / Violin Concerto No.1 in D major Op.19
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op.23
[Fee] Adults: 3,000 yen Youth (under 25 years old): 1,500 yen
[Subsidy] Arts and Culture Promotion Fund Subsidy Program
[Sponsor] Classic Yokohama | Piano Teachers Association of Japan (PTNA)