The Tohoku Youth Orchestra Concert 2026, held at Suntory Hall on March 26, 2026, came to a successful close.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us at the venue, and to all those who have supported our activities.

For this concert, the Tohoku Youth Orchestra returned to classical music for the first time in quite a while.
The piece we chose was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Fate. As it turns out, this was also the very first score that Ryuichi Sakamoto ever purchased. It feels deeply meaningful that we were able to perform such an important work—one that could be described as the starting point of his musical life—at this moment in time.

Another piece we took on for the first time was Ballet Mécanique.
 This legendary work is one of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s solo piece . Originally, it is filled with a distinctly “mechanical” appeal, built from computer-generated and sampled sounds. For this concert, however, we deliberately took on the challenge of expressing that world using only our live acoustic instruments.

How could we recreate that distinctive rhythm and sense of speed using only orchestral instruments?
It was a process of constant trial and error, but throughout it all, we pursued a version of Ballet Mécanique that could only be created by the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.

Five Days in Mikamo, Tochigi: Living and Making Music Together

Ahead of the concert, we held a four-night, five-day intensive training camp at JIMINIE Club Shizen no Ie Mikamo in Tochigi Prefecture.

Getting Started

On the first day of the camp, the members arrived from various places by bus and gathered together.

That evening, we held a recreational activity designed to deepen the bonds among the members.

One highlight was a “member quiz,” created in advance based on conversations with each group. Questions about personal details—such as birthdays and favorite foods—brought plenty of excitement and laughter.

It was surprisingly difficult to remember the details of all eight or so members in each group, but even through the challenge, smiles were everywhere. It was a valuable and memorable time in which friendships grew beyond section boundaries.

Refining Our Sound to the Limit

The second and third days of the camp were completely filled with music. In addition to our full ensemble rehearsals during the day, we continued with sectionals and part rehearsals late into the night.

The work of polishing each phrase without compromise and bringing everyone’s musical focus together into a single sound was both demanding and deeply fulfilling.

The photo below shows us rehearsing the solo passage in Etude for the evening performance. This was actually a first for us, as the tuba joined the solo section this time. Because of that, we practiced it again and again until the very end—more than in any previous year.

A Shocking Announcement

On the evening of the fourth day, as the camp was entering its final stage, we received an announcement that came as a tremendous shock to all of us. It was the news of the retirement of Toshio Yanagisawa, who had conducted the orchestra since its very first season and walked this journey alongside us.

The news was so sudden that no one could hide their surprise. As silence fell over the room, some members’ eyes filled with tears, and I, too, could not hold back my own.
Mr. Yanagisawa shared heartfelt words with us about the passion with which he had conducted the orchestra from the very first season until now, and he also gave us a warm message of encouragement, telling us that even after stepping away from the podium, he would continue to support us.

In the Spring Light

After putting the finishing touches on our performance on the final morning, some members visited the adjacent Tochigi Flower Center while waiting for the bus back to Tokyo.

Most of the camp had been devoted to rehearsals, and unfortunately, the weather had been rainy throughout our stay. But at that moment, the skies finally began to clear.
Breathing in the fresh air outside, we were all able to feel the arrival of spring together.
Some other members also stopped by the nearby Iwafune Fruit Park, where they picked up bright red strawberries. That brief break became a wonderfully refreshing moment for everyone.

At Suntory Hall, a Truly Special Venue

On the day of the concert, several members arrived at the venue early in the morning.
Serving as part of the backstage setup team, they busily helped with unloading instruments and preparing the stage.
For many of them, it was their first time riding the enormous freight elevator, and the atmosphere quickly filled with bright smiles and excitement.

Once again this year, our concert was hosted by Mari Watanabe.

She also warmly supported the member in charge of the backstage announcements, staying by their side through the final preparations with the kindness of an older sister.

To experience her professionalism and genuine warmth up close must have been truly unforgettable for that member, and no doubt a valuable lesson in the power of words.

This year, the narration was performed by Non.

Her voice—so pure, direct, and full of clarity—blended seamlessly with the sound we created and seemed to be drawn into the rich resonance of Suntory Hall.

As we played, we could feel with our whole bodies the warmth that gradually spread throughout the entire hall—gentle, yet deeply powerful.

Before the concert, we were once again able to personally present Non with our annual “message cards from the members,” a tradition we have continued each year.

Each handwritten card carried a few heartfelt words of thanks, and she accepted them with a smile, holding them as though they were something truly precious.

Seeing her expression helped bring us together once more and reminded us all of our shared desire to deliver the very best performance possible.

The Concert Ends in Tear

At the end of the evening performance, amid a thunderous round of applause, Sora Kikuno, a horn player who has been with the orchestra since its very first season, presented a large bouquet to Mr. Yanagisawa on behalf of all the members.
The moment he handed over the flowers, the two shared a heartfelt embrace. Seeing that scene, the realization suddenly came over me all at once: this truly was the last time we would perform under Mr. Yanagisawa’s baton. My chest tightened with emotion.
After walking this journey together for eleven years, and after all the trust and guidance he has given us along the way, our gratitude to him is far beyond what words alone can express.

This concert marks an important turning point for the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, and from here, the orchestra will gradually begin to evolve into a new form.
While there is certainly sadness in that change, we will carry forward the spirit of Ryuichi Sakamoto, entrusted to us through Mr. Yanagisawa, and continue on our musical journey together.
Once again, thank you very much to everyone who joined us at the concert.
We sincerely ask for your continued support of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.

Report by Miyu Takaki, Violin