コンテンツにスキップ
musicothers

A look into the real face of Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's new permanent conductor Kentaro Kawase!

神奈川フィルハーモニー管弦楽団 新常任指揮者 川瀬賢太郎の素顔に迫る!

Interview: Yoshimi Okayama Text: Akiko Inoue Photo: Masamasa Nishino
 

The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra always conveys the charm of music to us in various forms. I heard the news that the Kanagawa Philharmonic will be changing to a new conductor system starting in April 2014. Kentaro Kawase, who took over the baton from Seikyou Kim, who had served for the past five years, will be the new permanent conductor, and Kazuhiro Koizumi will be the special guest conductor. The new Kanagawa Philharmonic will start with a three-person conductor system, along with current principal guest conductor Sascha Goetzel. Among them, the appointment of Kentaro Kawase is attracting attention as the birth of the youngest permanent conductor in Japan. MAGCUL.NET interviewed Mr. Kawase, who became the face of the orchestra at the age of 29, to get a closer look at his true charm.
(Location: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Office)

 
 
- First off, please tell us about your encounter with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.
 
Kentaro Kawase (hereafter Kawase): It all started when I won a prize at the Tokyo International Music Competition. I won 2nd place in that competition, so I was given the opportunity to perform at my prize-winning debut concert. Normally, it is customary for the first place person to write the main program of the concert, the second place person to perform the middle program, and the third place person to perform the overture.・As the result was that there was no third place, I had to perform a one-night concert by myself, an experience that was almost terrifying at the time. The orchestra at that time was the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereinafter referred to as the Kanagawa Philharmonic).
After that, there was a hiatus, and in April of last year, we performed together for the second time in 6 years at Ongakudo. At that time, I was more moved by the fact that we were able to make music together.
 
- I heard that this appointment makes you the youngest permanent conductor in Japan. Please tell us your enthusiasm for being involved with the Kanagawa Philharmonic in your capacity as permanent conductor.
 
Kawase: Being the youngest permanent conductor is not very important to me. It's a new level of work that I've never climbed before, so I think there are a lot of things you won't know until you try, but I'm very enthusiastic about it. At the same time, I feel that being a conductor is a position where you have to take responsibility for everything that happens on stage, so I feel that kind of pressure. I think it's the same in any industry, but if you want to change something in an organization, I think it takes a lot of time. So, I don't have any particular intention of changing things too quickly, but I just want to create an atmosphere where everyone respects each other musically, keeps improving, and before you know it, it's getting better. I am thinking. I just have to work hard for that.
 
●kanafil
 
- I see. Next, please tell us how you became a conductor and any stories from your childhood.
 
Kawase: My father loved classical music, so I listened to it on a daily basis before I started studying music. I think that's a big reason.
 
-So it was a natural part of your life.
 
Kawase: That's right. A big reason for this may be that my encounter with classical music came before I was studying for tests or taking classes. I think many kids today listen to pop music on a daily basis and have classical music to compare with, but for me, classical music, pop music, and jazz are all on the same lines. I was listening to it. That's why I still have more pop CDs than classical CDs in my car.
 
- It's great that you were able to experience classical music without any preconceptions. Next, please tell us what conductors are careful about in their daily lives.
 
Kawase: As expected, it's just a cold. As humans, no matter how careful we are, we still catch colds. Even when I'm definitely not feeling well, I never take my temperature and just say, "I'm fine, I'm fine!" and get through it. After all, I can't make holes.
 
●kanafil_2
 
-This time, I would like to hear about Kawase-san's side when he is not a conductor. How do you spend your time off?
 
Kawase: I have quite a few hobbies, and I like cars and soccer. I love watching and playing soccer. I also go to the gym, read, and recently started riding mini 4WD again. Also, I usually go shopping...I feel like I do whatever I want on my days off (lol)
 
Oh, and since my debut, I've become more active in eating delicious food. Because this job allows me to travel to many different regions, I have become conscious of broadening my horizons by learning about good food and learning about it, just like music, rather than just eating a convenience store bento for dinner. Ta.
 
- It seems like you are often invited to dinner.
 
Kawase: That's right. Of course, there are times when I am invited to perform by orchestra members. Basically, I can't really eat alone... (lol) I'm worried about being seen, whether it's because I'm a conductor or not. So sometimes, when I go to Yoshinoya or something like that and see a very pretty person sitting alone with a bowl of beef bowl and a mug of raw food, I think, ``I want to talk to her.'' I think he has a great mentality (lol)
 
- Women are more muscular these days (lol)
 
Kawase: It's the same with concerts, but even when I eat alone, I feel sad that I can't share the deliciousness... For example, when you go to a concert or watch a movie, of course it's important to see and feel, but I think one of the best parts of it is exchanging impressions on the spot. That's right.
 
- It must be lonely watching alone.
 
Kawase: That's right. I think if we had an environment where it was easy to do this, we would have a healthier world. That's why when I'm eating something delicious, I want to say, "This is delicious." I think that kind of thing makes something that is already delicious even more delicious. It's the same with concerts, and I believe that in the end it is the audience themselves who make the concert meaningful.
 
●kanafil_5
 
- Managing your time in your daily life must be difficult, how do you do it?
 
Kawase: Anyway, the actual performance is scheduled for two years or so, so I'm busy studying every day, and unless I decide that today is the day to clear my mind, I end up reading the music. Like, ``I have to read it, I have to read it.''
 
- So, since you have free time during the day, do you set a time to refresh yourself?
 
Kawase: I try to exercise every day. Fortunately, my apartment has a gym. But in the end, I'm the type of person who can't decide after what time I won't study tonight, so when I start reading, I read it. Not yet, not yet. So I have to either take it off for the day, or read it with determination.
 
- Next, please tell us about your joy as a conductor and what you are aiming for.
 
Kawase: My dream has come true, so basically I'm happy and happy. Of course, there are many times when it is difficult.
There are two answers to this question. One is that I can share time with great composers, such as Beethoven and Mozart, who have already passed away, through their works. Another thing is that I feel really happy when I see the happy faces of customers and hear them say, ``That was great.'' Since these people are devoting two hours of their lives to our performance, our wish is for them to go home with a good feeling.
 
-I think that's what the listeners are expecting as well. Furthermore, rather than having a limited time of two hours, the concert is meant to be an experience that you can take home with you afterward.
 
Kawase: That's right. I think it would be great if we could provide as much time as possible, and in order to do that, we musicians have to work harder and do our best. I hope this will turn into vitality and create a virtuous cycle. After all, I'm a newcomer to the group of people who support the Kanagawa Philharmonic, so of course I'll have to go through the hardships from now on. I want to do my best this year so that people will think, “I want to do my best.”
 
-I think this question overlaps with the one you just asked, but do you have a message for Kanagawa Phil fans and music fans?
 
Kawase: I just want everyone to come to the concert and enjoy it. We also want to do our best to provide everyone with a good time through music. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the concert, and I'd be happy if you could come and talk to me about music.
I hope you don't worry too much about it and just enjoy it.
 
- Thank you very much
 
●kanafil_7
 
 

Related articles