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Tokyo Symphony Orchestra Newsletter - September, 2011 Hubert Soudant, Music Director

 

THE BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER MAKES A CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOKYO SYMPHONY

On May 30, 2011, a benefit concert was performed in Berlin by Mr. Guy Braunstein (violin), Mr. Daishin Kashimoto (violin), Mr. Amihai Grosz (viola), Ms. Martha Argerich (piano), Mr. Itamar Golan (piano), Ms. Jing Zhao (cello), and Mr. Mischa Maisky (cello).

KAWASAKI, JAPAN – The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is pleased to announce that the Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker contributed to the TSO 15,000 EURO to help cover damages sustained by the orchestra as a result of the Great East Earthquake in March 2011.

 

The Berliner Philharmoniker feels a strong affinity for the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, which was almost completely destroyed during the earthquake on March 11, 2011, as they have performed concerts there on their Japan tours in recent years. The Berliner Philharmoniker performed a benefit concert on May 30, 2011, for the TSO, the Fukushima TV Junior Orchestra, and UNICEF. The benefit concert raised 45,000EURO in total, and one-third of the proceeds are contributed to each organization.

 

This benefit concert was performed by Mr. Guy Braunstein (violin), Mr. Daishin Kashimoto (violin), Mr. Amihai Grosz (viola), Ms. Martha Argerich (piano), Mr. Itamar Golan (piano), Ms. Jing Zhao (cello) and Mr. Mischa Maisky (cello) in the chamber music hall of the Berliner Philharmonie.

 

The key people behind the decision to make the donation were Mr. Martin Hoffmann, General Manager of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Mr. Andreas Wittmann and Mr. Stefan Dohr, both members of the Orchestra Board.

Comment by Andreas Wittmann, Orchestra Board of the Berliner Philharmoniker
“The Berliner Philharmoniker has been in a long lasting friendship with Japan and the Japanese. The disastrous earthquake in March and its appalling consequences have been shocking news for the Berliner Philharmoniker. Especially the fact that Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall has been severely damaged left us very sad as we intended to give one of our concerts in Japan upcoming November in this hall. With the donation we would like to make a contribution to TSO and hope that they can rebuild their home soon.”

Comment by Junji Ohno, Managing Director of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
“I was very surprised, but filled with deep appreciation when I heard the Berliner Philharmoniker decided to make a generous contribution to the TSO. Berliner Philharmoniker members well understand that we lost our home and can’t rehearse there. I would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all members of the Berliner Philharmoniker for the thoughtful gift.”

We all express our deepest gratitude to the Berliner Philharmoniker.

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Tokyo Symphony Official Website
http://www.tokyosymphony.com/en

 

 

For further information, please contact:
Midori Takase
Public Relations
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