Let's celebrate the New Year with the vibrant performances of rising stars!

Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall boasts a history of 68 years and is Japan's first full-fledged music hall as a public facility.
The 17th Fresh Concert For Future, a collaboration between the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and young, talented musicians, will be held on January 9th in a historic hall. This year's concert will feature violinist Asako Fukuda, who won first prize at the Tokyo Music Competition, considered a stepping stone for young musicians, and conductor Kenshiro Sakairi, a rising star who is taking the classical music world by storm. These two musicians will present a magnificent performance with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Why not celebrate the New Year with the vibrant sounds of these young and talented musicians?
[Top image: Asako Fukuda, photographed by Shigehito Imura]

This time, we interviewed violinist Asako Fukuda.
They told a truly wonderful story.
Please enjoy it to the very end!

First, please tell us what inspired you to choose the path of a violinist.

According to my mother, my older sister and brother had already started learning and playing the violin, so I naturally said, "I want to try it too!" I chose the path of a violinist because I felt I was good at playing the violin, and since everyone in my family was involved in music, it was natural for me to continue playing an instrument and aspire to become a performer.

Please tell me about your family.

I was born to a grandfather who was originally a maker of string instrument bows, a father who inherited the business, and a mother who studied vocal music. I have two siblings, and all three of us are currently active as violinists.

Wow, what a thoroughbred! Do you have any stories related to music?

As for anecdotes, my mother would accompany me when I practiced, and when we were children, the three of us often performed together at weddings and funerals. Recently, I've had several opportunities to perform duo concerts with my brother. When we play together, the good thing is that because we're brothers, we can talk honestly and openly about anything, but on the other hand, we're both so straightforward in our expressions that our musical expression sometimes ends up arguing. My brother and I studied under the same teacher and took competitions at the same time, so we would listen to each other and give each other advice.
I'm still far from my ideal performance, but my father is very particular about tone, and I think my strong awareness of sound quality is partly due to his influence.

Please tell me about the kind of violinist you aspire to be.

In my opinion, a captivating musician is also a captivating person. There are countless wonderful musicians, but you can't become someone else, and no one else can become you, so I think what's important is "how far you can confront yourself." I want to keep building on the "something" that is born from confronting myself and music.

Have you ever felt like giving up? If so, how did you overcome it?

Witnessing an overwhelming and magnificent performance can sometimes leave me feeling somewhat despairing. But music isn't meant to be compared to others, and I try to focus on what I can do in that moment.

What are some of the unique charms of violinist Asako?

I often receive compliments on the delicate expression I create. Also, since I use instruments from the 1700s, I think my music is characterized by the rich, distinctive tone that comes from using older instruments.

What are your thoughts on performing with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra at the historic Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall?

Having been born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, I am very happy and honored to be able to perform at the Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall and to collaborate with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra!

Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall © Ryo Hata

What are the highlights to listen to and watch in this episode?

The first movement is powerful and resolute, the second is serene, and the third is dramatic; all movements are incredibly captivating. I highly recommend listening to the diverse timbres of the violin.

What exactly does music mean to you, Asako?

It is a form of performance in which contemporary musicians recreate the wonderful works left behind by great composers of the past, and it also serves as a tool for self-reflection.

If you have anything you'd like to say to younger students who aspire to become musicians, please share it.

I myself am still exploring my own path as a musician, but I want to approach music comprehensively and from multiple perspectives when I perform. I think it's important to consider how I want to perform and engage with society!

Finally, I believe this concert will be a wonderful performance, perfectly suited to kick off the new year!
Please come and join us!

Through the interview, I got the impression that he possesses a refined and wonderful musical sensibility, as well as being very intelligent and clever!
"Music is a tool for self-dialogue." Hmm. That's profound...
I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of sounds Asako will create by weaving together the songs left behind by great musicians of the past with her skill and sensibility.
A world that has overcome many difficulties welcomes a new year with a yearning for peace. You are sure to hear a performance that is perfectly suited to welcoming such a year as 2023.
Please look forward to it!

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's 17th Fresh Concert for Future

[Date and time] Monday, January 9, 2023, starting at 2:00 p.m.
[Main program] Ibert/Homage to Mozart
Saint-Saëns / Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61
Mozart / Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 "Jupiter"
[Price] General admission: 3,000 yen; Youth (under 25): 1,500 yen
[Grant] Agency for Cultural Affairs Cultural Arts Promotion Subsidy (Project to Revitalize Performing Arts Creative Activities) | Japan Arts Council