Tokyo
Symphony Orchestra Newsletter -
August 28, 2009
Hubert Soudant, Music Director |
| Fifth anniversary of Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall |
Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, the home of TSO, celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 1, 2009. The TSO performed Mahler’s eighth Symphony, “Symphony of a Thousand,” conducted by its resident conductor, Norichika Iimori, for the anniversary concert. The hall was honored by the presence of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Hironomiya.
Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall, built in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Kawasaki municipal government, opened in July 2004. The TSO has been the resident orchestra of Kawasaki ever since.
| The TSO's latest CD specially selected by Record Geijutsu ("Art of the Record") |
The TSO’s latest CD, Brahms’ First Symphony, conducted by Kazuyoshi Akiyama, TSO Laureate conductor, was specially selected as one of the best CDs by Record Geijutsu (“Art of the Record”), a prestigious classical music magazine, regarded as the equivalent of Gramophoe, in its August 2009 issue. The CD is a live-recording of the TSO Tokyo Opera City series performed in February 2009. The CD includes Dvorak’s Carnival Overture Op.92.
| Reviews: TSO Schumann Cycle and Festal Summer Muza KAWASAKI |
Tokyo Symphony Subscription No. 569
Saturday, July 12, Suntory Hall
Conductor = Hubert Soudant (TSO Music Director)
Piano = Hung-Kuan Chen
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2
Schumann: Symphony No.3 “Rheinische”
Excerpts from a review in the magazine Ongaku-no-Tomo (“Friend of Music”) by critic Ryuichi Shibata
In Schumann’s Third Symphony, Mr. Soudant maturely conducted the TSO and elicited a magnificent performance from the orchestra. The lucid and bracing expression put the audience at ease with flexible rhythm and well-blended acoustics. The fragrance of this European music fascinated the audience.
Opening Concert, Festa Summer Muza KAWASAKI
Sunday, July 26th, Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall
Conductor = Hubert Soudant (TSO Music Director)
Piano = Yoko Kikuchi
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
L. Mozart: Toy Symphony (with students of Noborito Elementary School)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No.27
Mozart: Symphony No.41 “Jupiter”
Encore/Mozart: Overture from the opera Marriage of Figaro
Blog by music critic Hiroo Tojo (excerpt)
Muza’s annual summer music festival, gathering nine orchestras, started today and will continue through August 16. The opening concert, an all- Mozart programme, was performed by the host orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of its music director, Hubert Soudant.
In the first piece, L. Mozart’s Toy Symphony, students of Noborito Elementary School in Kawasaki city, performing toy instruments, joined the orchestra. Antonio Marti, the TSO principal trumpet, also played a little trumpet, which, surprisingly, belonged to Mr. Soudant’s and was repaired for this concert.
I had thought they would give a light rendition of the piece out of consideration for the participating children. So I was surprised when the orchestra gave an uncompromising performance as if the symphony were a masterpiece. Mr. Soudant’s was at his best.
Following the Toy Symphony, the orchestra performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.27 (pianist Yoko Kikuchi played wonderfully) and Symphony No.41 “Jupiter”, Mr. Soudant never neglected even a single note, rendering the piece with precision. It was a testament to the stable, positive relationship between Mr. Soudant and the orchestra.
Jupiter in particular was performed to perfection – pleasing, tight sounds, solid formation, vivid beauty of melody, and inside melodies having a distinct movement. If only this performance had been recorded!
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