Tokyo
Symphony Orchestra Newsletter -
January 27, 2009
Hubert Soudant, Music Director |
| Schubert
Cycle - 2008-09 season theme - by Hubert Soudant & TSO Tops Japanese Orchestras in "Best
Concert 2008" in
the February 2008 issues of both Mostly Classic magazine
and Ongaku-no-Tomo. |
The TSO Schubert cycle conducted by the orchestra's Music Director,
Hubert Soudant, was rated second in "Best Concert 2008"
by Mostly Classic, a trendy classical music magazine. Mostly Classic
asked Japanese music critics and journalists to choose the five
most remarkable concerts performed by Japanese and international
artists in Japan. After the lists were compiled, the Tokyo Symphony's
Schubert cycle finished second. In first place was the Los Angeles
Philharmonic's Japan tour led by Esa-Pekka Salonen, followed by
New National Theater Opera's performance of Zimmermann's Die Soldaten.
The concert rankings were published in the February 2009 issue.
Ongaku-no-tomo (Friend of Music), an established classical music
magazine in Japan, also ranked concerts in Japan in 2008. The Tokyo
Symphony Orchestra ranked 13th overall and first among concerts
by Japanese orchestras. The top-ranking concerts included performances
by the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra under the baton of Mariss Jansons; the Vienna Philharmonic
led by Riccardo Muti, Andr?s Schiff (piano); Vienna National Opera;
and Mariinsky Opera. Incidentally, the Berlin Philharmonic with
Simon Rattle ranked 17th. The rankings appeared in the February
2009 issue.
| Tokyo
Symphony also Tops Japanese Orchestras in Record Geijutsu poll, May 2008 issue. |
Tokyo
Symphony also Tops Japanese Orchestras in Record Geijutsu poll, May 2008 issue.
Earlier this season, Record Geijutsu, a prestigious classical music
magazine, considered the equivalent of Gramophoe, asked Japanese
critics to pick their 10 favorite orchestras. The Tokyo Symphony
ranked 35th, the highest ranking for a Japanese orchestras among
the first-class orchestras of the world.
| Reviews
for Schubert Cycle |
Tokyo Symphony Subscription Concert No.556
Saturday, 17th May 2008, 6:00p.m. Suntory Hall
Conductor : Hubert
Soudant
Piano : Lilya Zilberstein
F.Schubert: Symphony
No.1 in D major, D.82
S.Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3 in C major, op.26
F.Schubert: Symphony No.4 in C minor, D.417
Blog (excerpts) by
Hiroo Tojo, music critic
At the beginning of Schubert's 1st Symphony, a clear string tone
was combined with characteristic round tone to make a very unique
sound. This is precisely "Soudant sound"!
I guess it must be very difficult for the orchestra to make a good
balance with the brass section, but the TSO created that sound perfectly,
which shows the relationship between Mr. Soudant and the TSO is
developing to new heights now. …Mr. Hubert Soudant and the
TSO gave a wonderful performance of 1st symphony in a classical
style and the 4th symphony with a romantic taste, especially great
in terms of contrast. Their interpretation has a fully persuasive
power. This performance was outstanding and the best one in my experience
of Mr. Soudant's past performances of the TSO.
…This is the best orchestral concert I have heard this half
a year.
Ongaku-no-Tomo (excerpts,
Friend of music), music magazine by Haruo Yamada, music critic
…the TSO ensemble is so precise and its sound has a lot of
energy. The balance between a light, clear string sound and a brilliant
brass section is well thought out. These are wonderful results of
Mr. Soudants's direction, and have also created a special character
for this orchestra. In the 4th symphony, Mr. Soudant and the TSO
expressed a "demonic" side so that they expressed dramatically
the width of Schubert's emotion. Tonight's performance by Mr. Soudant
and the TSO is the one of concerts which should be a high-light
in the history of performances of Schubert Symphonies in Japan.
Ongaku Gendai (excerpts,
Today's music), music magazine by Akio Miyazawa, music critic
I was just so surprised by the Tokyo Symphony's performance of Schubert
by Mr. Soudant. What impressive music! In the 1st symphony the TSO
members responded well to Mr. Soudant's passionate conducting, and
their performance were full of vigor and the young Schubert's ideas.
A tender flute sound, baroque style bowing and baroque timpani made
the music dramatic, emphasizing Mr.Soudant's sensitive expression.
We cannot miss other subscription concerts in this season.
