Interview: Yoshimi Okayama Text: Akiko Inoue Photo: Masamasa Nishino
The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra always conveys the charm of music to us in various ways. We heard the news that the Kanagawa Philharmonic will be changing to a new conductor system from April 2014. Kentaro Kawase will take over from Seikyo Kim, who had been in the position for the past five years, as the new Principal Conductor, and Kazuhiro Koizumi will take up the position as Special Guest Conductor. Along with current Principal Guest Conductor Sascha Goetzel, the new Kanagawa Philharmonic will start with a three-conductor system. Among them, Kentaro Kawase's appointment is attracting attention as the birth of the youngest Principal Conductor in Japan. MAGCUL.NET interviewed Kawase, who became the face of the orchestra at the age of 29, to find out more about his true charm.
(Location: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Office)
- First of all, 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 came in second place in that competition, with no first place winner, so I had the opportunity to conduct a debut concert for the winners. Normally, the first place winner conducts the main program, the second place winner the middle program, and the third place winner the overture, but that year, for the first time since the competition began, there were no first or third place winners, so I had to conduct an overnight concert by myself, which was a terrifying experience at the time. The orchestra I was playing with was the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereafter Kanagawa Philharmonic).
After a break, we performed together for the second time in six years at the music hall in April of last year. At that time, I was more moved by the fact that we were able to create music together.
- I heard that you are the youngest permanent conductor in Japan. Please tell us your enthusiasm for being involved with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in your role as permanent conductor.
Kawase: Being the youngest permanent conductor is not that important to me. After all, it's a new level of work that I've never reached before, and I think there are many things I won't understand until I try it, but I'm very motivated. At the same time, I think that a conductor is in a position where he has to take responsibility for everything that happens on stage, so I feel that kind of pressure. I think it's the same in every industry, but I think it takes a lot of time to reform an organization. So I'm not particularly thinking about changing anything quickly, but I just want to create an atmosphere where we all respect each other musically, improve each other, and make it better before we know it. To do that, I just have to work hard.
- I see. Next, please tell us what led you to become 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 studied music. I think that's a big reason.
- So it was a natural part of your life.
Kawase: Yes. I think it was probably because my encounter with classical music was before I started studying for tests or taking classes. I think a lot of kids these days listen to pop music on a daily basis, and classical music is there to compare with that, but in my case, I listened to classical music, pop music, and jazz, all on the same level. That's why I still have more pop CDs in my car than classical CDs.
- It must have been great to have been able to experience classical music without any preconceptions. Next, please tell us what a conductor should pay attention to in their daily lives.
Kawase: Of course, it's the cold. We're human, so no matter how careful we are, we'll catch a cold. Even when we're definitely not feeling well, we never take our temperature and get through it by saying "I'm fine, I'm fine!" Because we can't make a hole in it after all.
- This time, I would like to ask you about your time off when you are not a conductor. How do you spend your time off?
Kawase: I have quite a few hobbies. I like cars and soccer. I like watching and playing soccer. I also go to the gym, read books, and recently I started riding mini 4WD again. I also go shopping... I do whatever I want on my days off (laughs).
Oh, and since my debut, I've become more proactive about eating delicious food. Since I have the opportunity to travel to many different regions in this job, instead of settling for dinner with a convenience store bento, I've become conscious of broadening my horizons by eating and learning about good food, just like with music.
- It seems like you get invited out to dinner a lot too.
Kawase: That's right. Of course, I do get invited by members of orchestras. I'm not good at eating alone in general... (laughs) It doesn't matter if I'm a conductor or not, I'm just self-conscious about what other people think. So, sometimes when I see a really pretty girl alone at Yoshinoya, placing down a beef bowl and a mug of draft beer, I think, "I'd like to talk to that girl." I think she must have an incredible mentality (laughs).
--Women are stronger these days, aren't they? (laughs)
Kawase: It's the same with concerts, but even when I eat alone, I feel lonely because I can't share the feeling that the food is delicious... For example, when I go to a concert or see a movie, I understand that it's important to see and feel, but I think one of the best parts is sharing my impressions on the spot.
- It must be lonely watching it alone.
Kawase: That's right. I think the world would be a healthier place if we had an environment where it was easy to do that. That's why when I'm eating something delicious, I want to say, "This is delicious." I think that makes something that was already delicious even more delicious. It's the same with concerts, and I think it's the audience themselves who ultimately make the concert meaningful.
- It must be difficult to manage your time in your daily life. How do you do it?
Kawase: Anyway, the performances are scheduled for two years in advance, so I'm busy studying every day, and unless I really decide to clear my mind today, I end up reading the music. I'm like, "I have to read it, I have to read it."
- So you have this time of day free, so do you decide to use it to refresh yourself?
Kawase: I try to exercise every day. Luckily, my apartment has a gym. But I'm not the kind of person who can decide, "I won't study after this time tonight," so once I start reading, I just keep reading. Not yet, not yet. So I either turn it off that day, or if I'm going to read, I'll read with determination.
- Next, please tell us about the joys and goals of being a conductor.
Kawase: My dream has come true, so I'm basically happy, having fun, and feeling happy. Of course, there are more difficult times than not.
I have two answers to that question. One is that I get to share time with great composers who are no longer with us, like Beethoven and Mozart, through their works. The other is that I feel genuinely happy when I see the happy faces of our audience and hear them say, "It was great." Those people are dedicating two hours of their life to our performance, so our hope is that they go home feeling good.
- I think that's what the audience is hoping for. What's more, it's not just a two-hour concert, but a concert that's a rich experience that the audience can take home with them afterwards.
Kawase: That's right. I hope we can provide more time like that, and for that we musicians have to work harder. I hope that this will in turn give us more vitality and create a good cycle. After all, I'm a newcomer jumping into the world of people who support the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, so of course I'll have to face some hardships, but I want to work hard for a year so that people will think, "It's good that someone new has come."
- I think this overlaps with the current question, but do you have a message for Kanagawa Philharmonic fans and music fans?
Kawase: Anyway, I hope you will come to our concerts and have a good time. We also want to do our best to provide you with a good time through music. I look forward to seeing you all at our concerts, and I would be happy if you would feel free to talk to me about music.
I hope that you can just enjoy it without being too nervous.
- Thank you
