Learn the basics of classical music from the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

I want to listen to classical music live, but which performance should I listen to? What if I'm late for the start of the show? What are the best deals on tickets? A variety of questions have arisen. We asked Toru Sakakibara, the music director of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereafter referred to as Kanagawa Philharmonic), which continues to sow the seeds of emotion in people's hearts, about the basics of classical music.
(Top image: Photo by Taira Tatehira / Courtesy of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall)

How to choose a concert: When a song or performer catches your eye

-First of all, when you're wondering, "Which performance should I go to see?" how do you recommend choosing?

Sakakibara: Why not choose a piece of music that you've heard before or that you remember fondly, something that really catches your eye? Many of the pieces of music played in movies and TV dramas are performed by orchestras. Even if you've never been to an orchestra concert, you'll probably find a piece that sounds familiar to you.

You can also choose by performer. For example, the principal solo concertmaster of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra is Yasunao Ishida, a popular violinist who is unique and follows a traditional path. The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra has many attractive performers, so why not listen to the performance of the performer you are interested in along with the song that catches your eye?

Yasunao Ishida Photo: Norizumi Kitada Universal Music / Courtesy of Kanagawa Philharmonic

I think any opportunity is good for choosing a concert, such as a song or a performer. Live music is completely different from listening to CDs or YouTube. An orchestra is performed by dozens of performers who work together in unison. The sound is unique to that moment. Experience live music at a concert venue and feel the breath of the orchestra. You will surely be moved.

How to get tickets and discount ticket information

--I'd like to purchase tickets to the Kanagawa Philharmonic concert. Are there any discounted tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online by accessing "Blue Dal Tickets" on the Sakakibara Kanagawa Philharmonic's website.
Purchase tickets here (Kanagawa Philharmonic official website)
Kanagawa Philharmonic official website: here

There are also discounted tickets available. The "Youth" ticket, which can be purchased by anyone under 25 years old, is especially recommended. If there are any seats available one week before the performance, you can purchase them for 1,000 yen per seat. In addition, if you show the ticket stub from a performance, you can enter for free one more time. It is used by young people up to about their third year of work for their own enjoyment, and by music college students for study. We also post information on X (formerly Twitter), so please follow us to check the latest information.

In addition, we plan to start recruiting members for the next season's regular concerts from November 15, 2024. There are two main types of membership: "series membership" and "select membership." Series membership allows you to listen to all regular performances in the same seat at the same venue. The discount rate is 30%. Select membership is a system that allows you to purchase tickets for three or more performances at a discount, with a 15% discount for three performances and a 20% discount for six performances. Please consider it.

If you are late

--If I'm late for the show, I'll probably end up joining in the middle of it and causing a nuisance. Should I just give up?

Sakakibara: There is no need to give up. There will be staff on the day to accommodate customers who are late. They will guide customers so that they can enter at the right time between performances. If there are delays in public transportation, the start of the performance may be delayed. Please do not rush and come safely.

rehearsal

--I heard you can watch rehearsals at the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sakakibara : Yes, you can watch the rehearsal for free from the viewing gallery on the second floor of Kanagawa Art Hall. The rehearsal is only open to the public on a limited number of days, but you can enjoy a live performance with a different look from the actual performance.

Kanagawa Art Hall official website: here

Yokohama Next Concert 2024 collaborates with Chigasaki Junior High School

- The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra has cited music education for children as an important pillar of its activities. I heard that you have held a concert with a junior high school brass band in Yokohama. Finally, please tell us about that initiative.

Sakakibara 2023 ended with great success, performing with Yokohama Municipal Hodogaya Junior High School in Hodogaya Ward, where the Kanagawa Art Hall, which is the rehearsal venue and the designated manager of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, is located. This year, the second time, we will collaborate with Yokohama Municipal Chigasaki Junior High School in Tsuzuki Ward. We were connected through the fact that our advisor, Mr. Asayama, is a director of the Yokohama Wind Orchestra Federation.

The three years of junior high school are an important period for human growth. If a child is going to be a musician in the future, I want them to have lots of hands-on experience with music by junior high school at the latest. Experience develops sensitivity and creativity, and is the foundation for growth. This is linked to Yokohama City's policy of providing music education that focuses on the "next generation." Yokohama City aims to improve the music culture of the entire region by nurturing the next generation of musicians and listeners. For this reason, we have received support from Yokohama City, and are sponsored by the Yokohama City Board of Education and the Yokohama Wind Orchestra Federation. We hope that this Yokohama Next Concert will expand the circle of music and increase the number of people who are familiar with music.

--What exactly will it involve?

Sakakibara's "Yokohama Next Concert 2024 meets Tsuzuki Ward" will be held on September 23, 2024 in the main hall of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall. Ryo Fukawa will be the host and liven up the event. In addition to being from Yokohama City, Fukawa is also a cousin of Yukino Fukawa, the principal trombonist of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Fukawa's friendliness and sense of security are what make him so appealing.

The aforementioned Ishida will also participate as a violinist. Ishida himself understands the importance of being exposed to real music during impressionable years such as junior high school students. The conductor will be Kanade Yokoyama.

Before the concert, we will hold two pre-concert workshops with the students. The first will be conducted by conductor Kana Yokoyama, and the second by the musicians. Last year's concert was a hot one, so I think this year will be just as exciting. I wonder what kind of chemical reaction will occur when junior high school students and the Kanagawa Philharmonic collaborate. I'm looking forward to this live performance.
Yokohama Next Concert 2024 meets Tsuzuki Ward Ticket sales: here

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Official website: here
Concert schedule: here