Since the big concert was over in the summer, this autumn is rather an off-season for the group I belong to. That’s why I had more time to go and listen to music slowly.
So, the weekend before last and last weekend, I went to a concert of an amateur orchestra that my friend who I met through twitter belongs to. It’s been a while since I’ve been to an amateur orchestra concert.
I went to hear « Orchestra Nipponica » the week before last, and « Kamakura Symphony Orchestra » last week, two concerts here.
To be honest, I’m not good at music stories. I don’t have much knowledge and I’m not a good writer…. Besides, I don’t like to talk about good or bad performance or technical things in a big way. But since I was invited to this concert, I thought I’d leave a record of my visit as a thank you at least. But I’m sure it won’t be an interesting diary (laughs).
Mr. « Orchestra Nipponica ».
Webサイトはこちら：http://www.nipponica.jp/index.htm
First, let me introduce the group. Let me quote the text from the brochure.
2002年9月設立。日本を代表する作曲家であり、かつその域にとどまらず多様な音楽的、社会的活動を実践して現代の日本音楽会に多大な功績を残した故・芥川也寸志（1925-1989）の志を継ぐべく誕生したオーケストラ。日本人の交響作品を積極的に演奏していくこと、内外の埋もれた作品に光を当てて紹介していくこと、さまざまな国（特にアジア）・分野において幅広く交流していくことなどを活動の柱としている。
なるほど。要するに「これぞニッポンのオケ！」ってことでしょうか。
It must be based on such a clear concept, and the program this time is as follows.
2011年10月30日(日)14:30開演 紀尾井ホール
Kazuo Yamada
- 大管絃楽の為の小交響詩「若者のうたへる歌」（1937）
- 交響組曲「呪縛」（1940）*
- もう直き春になるだらう（1938）城左門詩*
- 日本の歌（1944／1959） 深尾須磨子詩*
- おほむたから 作品20（1944）
- 大管絃楽の為の交響的「木曾」 作品12（1939）
Soprano Eizuko Yamada*
Yoshikazu Tanaka, Conductor
管弦楽 オーケストラ・ニッポニカ
I’m sorry, I didn’t know all the songs, though I think I’ve heard Kazuo Yamada’s name before. I’m sorry, I didn’t know all the songs. But on the contrary, I can listen to them without any preconceptions, so it might be better.
(Postscript)
In fact, when I looked at Nipponica’s website, I found that the names « Kazuo Yamada » and « Kazuo Yamada » were written together, so I contacted the secretariat who invited us, thinking that it was a conversion error or misprint. This is the correct answer! I’m sorry to quote the DM as it is, but
« Kazuo » was Dr. Yamada’s real name. He changed his name several times and had a long period of activity as Kazuo in the conductor. I would like you to take this 20 years after Kazuo Yamada’s death, the two sides of the composer and conductor around here, or rather, the historical part. »
So that’s what I’ve heard. Thank you for teaching me!
Now, I listened to Kazuo Yamada’s music for the first time, and I felt that it was « stylish and comfortable ».
When you are asked what is the goodness of Japan, you may think of Kyoto, and the changes in scenery from season to season. And those changes are unique to Japan, not found in other countries. This is reflected in the music, and I felt an atmosphere and color that is not found in Western music.
But it’s also Western because it’s music that uses the Western tradition of the orchestra.
I think « stylish and comfortable » has such a background.
Then the orchestra was so good! I couldn’t believe it was an amateur orchestra. Yes, the orchestra here makes CDs of live recordings of their concerts. You can buy them on Amazon.
芥川也寸志:ヒロシマのオルフェ、音楽と舞 による映像絵巻「月」
Yasushi Akutagawa Orchestra Nipponica Tetsuji Honna Hiroshi Kuroda Mitsumi Koshigoe Hitomi Kaga Nobuaki Yoshida CHOR JUNE Sumida Boys and Girls Choir Orfe Choir
エクストン 2011-07-21
Sales Ranking : 7128
That’s amazing.
I can’t believe it’s an amateur orchestra. By the way, when I look at the pamphlet, I feel that the sponsors and supporting organizations are quite amazing. In a sense, there are not so many of these organizations in the pro-am world. I can understand how they can get sponsorship.
So, I enjoyed the wonderful music until the end, thinking sincerely that I had a new pleasure again. Thank you to all the members of the group and Ms. Y who invited us.
« Kamakura Symphony Orchestra
Next, it is Mr. Kamakyo. It is an orchestra in Kamakura as shown in the name.
Webサイトはこちら：http://homepage2.nifty.com/kso/
It is a citizen’s orchestra of the amateur with the history of 40 years after it establishes it with Nipponica. It seems to be the old capital Kamakura as expected.
Some people who played with me in the orchestra (so-called « grain orchestra ») that I recruited on twitter belong to this orchestra, so I decided to visit. Well, it’s a town that I personally have a lot of feelings for, and I love it here.
Well, the venue is in Ofuna, so I was a little bit like that (laughs).
So I tweeted that I was going to the concert, and before I knew it, we were going to eat pancakes. It’s called « IWATA COFFEE » and it seems to be a famous place.
A huge portion, and very tasty! Also, there were many kinds of coffee, which was interesting. For example, the one with marshmallow. (I didn’t order this, but…)
So, after enjoying the wonderful coffee shop, we went to the concert venue, Kamakura Art Museum.
※写真はhttp://kamakura-arts.jp/institution/index.htmlより引用
It was an incredibly beautiful hall. I envy you to be able to play in such a place.
Oops, here’s the program for the day.
日時 2011年11月5日（土）13時開場 14時開演
Pre-concert from 13:30
Place : Kamakura Performing Arts Center Main Hall
Conductor: Mihara Akito
Fl Solo: Shinya Koide, Hp Solo: Atsuko Sugiyama
Song title.
- リスト 交響詩「前奏曲」
- モーツアルト「フルートとハープのための協奏曲 ハ長調」
- ソリストによるアンコール グルック 精霊の踊り
- プロコフィエフ「交響曲第５番 変ロ長調」
This is the song that I know all the songs of Nipponica.
The purpose is, of course, Proko, Proko. I used to listen to them all the time, I love the 5th. I also enjoyed Mozart. The soloist of the harp, I think he played for our orchestra the other day, too.
Well, the concert started before I knew it. The impression I got from a quick look at the concert was that it had a long history. I had the impression that the age group was a little high. There was a calm atmosphere for adults. The performance was the same.
Of course, these characteristics can be developed overnight, and I thought the performance itself was a little too relaxed. But I could feel that everyone had practiced well and knew each other well.
I don’t know how to say it well, but it’s important for an orchestra to continue for a long time. Even if good musicians get together suddenly, it won’t be an ensemble. It’s hard to listen to a single orchestra, even if each member is good.
I’ve never played Proko before, but it’s quite a difficult piece, isn’t it? I’m sure it takes a lot of physical and mental energy. Even so, you’ve managed to bring it to the point where it can be listened to, so I think that’s amazing.
However, Proko, I wanted a little more hotness (laughs), it might have been good to have a place like a certain Little. (Well, I think I want Little to have the calmness of an adult on the contrary.
What I failed a little was that I sat too much in the front. It was not good that we all sat in the front to see a certain Va. Moreover, I couldn’t see her well because she was too far in front of me….
So, it was a very quick two hours. Thank you very much to all the members of the group for your hard work. And thank you very much to Mr. T who invited us again.
Yeah, it’s still a bit goofy. I’m sorry it’s really boring. I’m not good at music diaries.
However, as I wrote at the beginning, I thought I would leave it in the record as a feeling of gratitude, so I wrote it. I apologize for the long and rude writing.
I plan to visit several more groups for concerts. I am looking forward to it very much.
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