The regular concert of the 10th term ended with great success.
On Friday, March 21, at Suntory Hall, the group's grand finale, we received warm applause from a packed house for both the day and evening performances. Thank you to everyone who came to the concert.
Here is a shot of the group members performing on stage in an organized manner, but this is a shot of the lower stage area before the performance.
The group members were amused by the involving Ms. Mari Watanabe, who appears at every regular concert as the MC.
This year's special guest, Ukrainian Illia Bondarenko, joined us from the Kawaguchiko training camp four days earlier.
He is currently studying music in London, and I was concerned that he might be unapproachable as a nobleman who pursues beauty and cares about his country.
However, during a break in the camp.
As a joyful young man of 23, he played UNO with the group members.
Needless to say, the solo of Ryuichi Sakamoto's “Piece for Illia” in the show resonated beautifully.
The performance of the first orchestral arrangement in Japan of Sakamoto's YMO-era masterpiece “Tong Poo” was the highlight of the first half of the show.
The performance by pianist Yurie Miura was filled with homage to Sakamoto's piano performance in “Opus,” the last live performance of the director before his death.
The second part began with a performance with actor Sayuri Yoshinaga. Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Yoshinaga has been a regular guest since the first performance.
This year, three poems by Ryoichi Wago from Fukushima Prefecture, “Lamentation” by Kazuko Ohira from Hiroshima Prefecture, and “Peace is Wonderful” by Yusei Asato from Okinawa Prefecture were read along with Sakamoto's compositions. The first poem, “BB,” and the following piece were reproduced on a grand piano with automatic playback of Sakamoto's piano performance data, a performance that transcended time and space.
For “Parolibre,” the piano was played by Mr. Miura.
Thanks to Ms. Yoshinaga, who also declared herself the “publicity manager of Tohoku Youth Orchestra” on stage that day, a lot of press coverage was given to the event.
Here are some of the web articles.
・Sankei Sports: “Sayuri Yoshinaga Reads Poem at Orchestra's Annual Concert: ‘I'm at the Crossroads of How I Will Live From Now on’”・Daily Sports: Sayuri Yoshinaga: Appealing for peace on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II: “As a Japanese, I have something to convey” Poem reading accompanied by a video of Ryuichi Sakamoto before his death.・Sports Hochi: Sayuri Yoshinaga speaks of her feelings and determination at the age of 80, declaring that she will continue to work despite her “difficult age.・Kyodo News: Praying for peace, Ryuichi Sakamoto launches Tohoku Youth Concert with young people・Sports Nippon: “Sayuri Yoshinaga reads with a wish for peace”・Nikkan Sports: “Ukrainian violinist who co-wrote music for Ryuichi Sakamoto's orchestra to perform”・ENCOUNT “Sayuri Yoshinaga: ‘Everyone in the world must think about it’” “Yoshinaga reads a prayer for peace in front of an audience of 2,000 people”
Ms. Yoshinaga's quiet but passionate passion for poetry reading for “peace,” which she has continued for many years, deeply touched the reporters and the audience.
The first grader's poem, “Peace is wonderful“,
The poem ends with the phrase, I will do my best from what I can do, so that peace will continue forever.
This is exactly what Sayuri Yoshinaga's earnest and sincere approach to peace is all about. Peace is not something that can be obtained through concepts or logic.
The concert is partially shown below,
Nihon Television NEWS “Tohoku Youth Orchestra Performs Ryuichi Sakamoto's Masterpieces ‘The Last Emperor’ and ‘Tong Poo’”.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2e439d303e3bb667e8dd5fdb175d8baf9255d2d9
You have until 23:59(JST) on Friday, March 28th to see it by purchasing an online subscription ticket!
We are confident that this is a very, very rare opportunity!
Ticket price: 1,500 yen (inexpensive for the value!)
*A separate donation of 500 yen will be charged to the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.
*A separate delivery fee of 410 yen will be charged.
Here is the ticket sales page.
ZAIKO
https://l-tike.zaiko.io/e/tohoku-youth-orchestra
LAWSON TICKETS
https://l-tike.com/tohoku-youth-orchestra/
This is a super-premium, super-limited distribution that will also support the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.
We hope you will enjoy it!
Here are the smiles of the performers after the show.
After the evening performance, Ms. Yoshinaga made a double peace sign.
Also, after the daytime performance, we were able to hand over the annual thank-you note to Ms. Yoshinaga from the group members.
The success of this performance was made possible by conductor Hisao Yanagisawa, who has been guiding the group since its inception.
The report concludes with three shots of Ms.Sayuri Yoshinaga and Ms.Mari Watanabe, who praise the maestro for his hard work.
Anyway, the regular concert of the 10th season has ended successfully, and the members have returned to their hometowns.
Thank you very much for your attendance and support.
Please keep your eyes on the activities of Tohoku Youth Orchestra.