Learn how to enjoy classical music from the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director

We spoke to Toru Sakakibara, music director of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereafter referred to as Kanagawa Phil), a professional orchestra based in Kanagawa Prefecture and beloved by the local community, about how to enjoy classical music and what to look out for in the Kanagawa Philharmonic concert lineup from 2024 to 2025.

Experience the extraordinary with timeless classics

- I've only been listening to classical music for a year. Even when I look at the annual lineup, I can only vaguely recognize the song titles, conductors, and soloists. For beginners like me, please tell us how to choose and enjoy a classical concert.

At Sakakibara Classic concerts, we strive to ensure that our audience members can enjoy the extraordinary experience right to the very end. During the performance, we ask that all audience members turn off their smartphones and refrain from drinking water. This is quite difficult in today's world, isn't it?

-That's true!

Sakakibara: The greatest appeal of classical music is that it never loses its appeal no matter how many times you listen to it. The pieces that are still being performed today are the greatest hits that have survived in the history of classical music.
For example, I believe that the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, which you see here, is still being performed in around 100 venues around the world today. In Germany, the birthplace of Beethoven and J.S. Bach, there are said to be over 120 orchestras with 10,000 performers.

--Really?! Orchestras are surprisingly close to us.

There is no right answer as to what you will feel after listening to the music at a Sakakibara concert. We want people to feel more comfortable attending and enjoy themselves freely. For those who would like to attend a concert, we have considered how to choose and enjoy a concert.

-I'm looking forward to it!

Choose from memorable songs or performers you're interested in

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1970

Sakakibara: I think the most common type of people who come to our concerts are those who recall memories of songs they heard as children or songs that have personal memories.
I also think that there are many people who choose a performer they are interested in and come, thinking, "I'd like to hear that performer play live at least once."

-I'm sure many people have watched the TV drama "Reversal Orchestra," which the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra fully cooperated in filming, and have wanted to listen to the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sakakibara: Thank you.

Entering the hall out of curiosity

Sakakibara: I think most people start with a memorable song or a performer they're interested in, but I have another suggestion. Start with an interest in getting to know the hall. I think you'll enjoy it even more if you develop an interest in music halls.

-What exactly does it mean to "get to know the hall" and enjoy it?

Sakakibara: The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra mainly performs in three halls in the prefecture: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, and Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall. Each of these halls is wonderful.

The appeal of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall

© Hiradate Taira

Sakakibara Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall had its grand opening in 1998. It was completed when the Minato Mirai area was developed. The spacious foyer (hall) is comfortable, and I believe it is the only music hall with a location that offers a panoramic view of the ocean. From the moment you step inside the building, you can feel the bright, artistic space.

When you enter the main hall, you will see a pipe organ in the center, and the furniture such as chairs and lighting, as well as the acoustics and interior design, are all designed for the best music. It is recommended from the perspective of falling in love with the hall.

The appeal of Kanagawa Prefectural Hall

Sakakibara Kanagawa Prefectural Hall (hereafter referred to as Prefectural Hall) is located on the site of the Yamashita Foreign Settlement. You can see the ocean from the hall's lobby and the restaurant "Hiroshima Ichibankan" inside the hall.

It has been about 100 years since the Great Kanto Earthquake (September 1, 1923). Yamashita Park, located right in front of the hall, was one of the areas that was part of the reconstruction efforts after the earthquake, and there are many historic buildings around the hall. It would be a good idea to take a historical stroll through Yokohama before or after the concert.

The Prefectural Hall will close on March 31, 2025. We hope you will come and experience it before it closes.

The appeal of Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall

Sakakibara: Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall (hereafter referred to as the Music Hall), which opened in 1954, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year (2024). The interior walls are entirely made of wood, and the exterior features distinctive hollow L-shaped bricks, a testament to Kunio Maekawa's architectural style.

This is Japan's first public facility dedicated to music, and the acoustic sound is unique to this venue. The entire building was renovated in 2019, preserving its original beauty while remaining very clean. It has also been designated an Important Cultural Property (building) by Kanagawa Prefecture.

-I now have a good understanding of the characteristics of each hole.

Sakakibara: There are many wonderful halls in Kanagawa Prefecture. The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra holds regular performances in three halls, so I hope you will also pay attention to the halls as another way to enjoy classical music.

Fashion and the city of Yokohama make the concert even more special

Sakakibara : My next suggestion is to enjoy fashion and the city along with the concert. When observing our customers, I notice that they are carrying merchandise featuring the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's mascot, "Blue Dull," or Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra bags, and that they are incorporating the Blue Dull color into their fashion.

The Bludal handkerchief has the same pattern as the ties and scarves worn by the band members.

- Just like wearing merchandise at amusement parks or concerts, it's okay to enjoy classical music too!

Sakakibara : Of course. It's great to get excited for the concert. Many people also enjoy Yokohama before and after the concert.

If you go to Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, you can enjoy sightseeing in the new Yokohama. If you go to Prefectural Hall, you can visit the Marine Tower and Chinatown, or if you go a little further, Motomachi is also good. If you go to the Music Hall, you can go down Momijizaka and have a drink in Noge, where you can enjoy the deep side of Yokohama.

It will be fun to talk about your impressions of the concert while enjoying sightseeing and food in Yokohama.

Introducing selected concerts from the 2024-2025 concert schedule

There are two types of regular memberships for the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

There are two types of membership: "Series Membership" (application deadline is March 31, 2024), which allows you to listen to all regular concerts in the same seat, and "Select Membership" (application deadline is approximately one week before the performance date), which allows you to choose three or more performances from the 2024-2025 concert schedule and receive membership benefits.

There is no membership fee for either.

A booklet that gives you a complete understanding of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra: "2024-2025 Concert Schedule"

-I heard that you can still become a regular member of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Could you tell me about some of their distinctive concerts?

Sakakibara: First up in the Prefectural Masterpiece Series is "Ah, Showa Retro Classics!", which will be held at the Prefectural Hall on Saturday, May 25, 2024. It's a project that Ryusuke Numajiri, the music director of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, suggested, and I wholeheartedly agreed. It features a selection of classic pieces that were often performed when we were children but are rarely performed today, such as "Madonna's Jewels," "Dance of Time," and the waltz "Gold and Silver."

"Dance! Symphony No. 9" will be performed at the same Prefectural Hall on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Six dancers will perform. The performance of the Ninth Symphony will be untainted, blending orchestra, chorus, and dance. 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Symphony No. 9. Instead of a soloist, the soloists will emerge one after another from among the outstanding chorus members. The Ninth Symphony, which was innovative and captivated audiences at its premiere, will now be performed in an even more innovative way.

The theme of the Concert Hall is "Classical Modern." We will perform a wide range of classical and modern music. On Saturday, May 18, 2024, we will hold a "Musical Journey Through Beethoven" at the Concert Hall. This event is also part of the 200th anniversary of the world premiere of the Ninth Symphony. We will perform Lachenmann's "Dust for Orchestra," which disassembles and reassembles the image of the Ninth Symphony. "Dust" is a piece that led to a boycott because it distorted the Ninth Symphony, which Germans cherish. We will also perform Symphony No. 3, "Eroica," which served as a hint for the Ninth Symphony.

- It would also be nice to choose one from each of the three halls, become a regular member, and then purchase additional concert tickets later. Thank you!

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Official website: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Annual Lineup: 2024-2025 Season Concert Schedule | Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra