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November 22, 2024
 

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Robert Ryker
CULTURE / Music
Jan 7, 2001
Beyond technical perfection: the best from 2000
It is time once again to look back over some of the most significant musical events of the year 2000.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 31, 2000
One mighty orchestra, two mighty conductors
Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester Nov. 26, Mariss Jansens conducting in Suntory Hall -- "Oberon" Overture (Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber, 1786-1812), Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99 (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75) featuring Hilary Hahn; Symphony No. 8 in...
CULTURE / Music
Dec 24, 2000
Chamber orchestras prove light but not flighty
Die Freitagsakademie and l'Ensemble Vocale de Lausanne
CULTURE / Music
Dec 17, 2000
A true match made in heaven
Wiener Philharmoniker Nov. 16, Seiji Ozawa conducting in Suntory Hall -- Symphony No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 90; Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 (Johannes Brahms, 1833-97)
CULTURE / Music
Dec 10, 2000
A feast of orchestral sound to take the chill off winter
Concertgoers could hardly escape noticing that the past month or so has been the season for hearing big symphony and opera orchestras from abroad. The Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Phil- harmonic, for example, were both here for weeks at the same time, and they weren't the only ones.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 3, 2000
Maazel wears multiple hats, but looks best in conductor's
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Nov. 2, Wolfgang Gieron conducting in Suntory Hall -- "The Ideal," from Two Portraits for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 5/1 (Bela Bartok, 1881- 1945), Music for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 12 (Lorin Maazel, b. 1930), Gypsy Caprice (Friedrich Kreisler, 1875-1962), all featuring...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 26, 2000
From delicacy to passion: inspiration from the spoken word
Books of drama, literature and poetry have often served as the basis for musical compositions. The Bible and Shakespeare's plays are prominent in the list of works by great authors writing in many languages to portray the human condition.
CULTURE / Music
Nov 19, 2000
Chaotic, comedic 'Ariadne' shows lighter side of Strauss
Wiener Staatsoper Oct. 22, Filippo Sanjust directing, Giuseppe Sinopoli conducting in Kanagawa Kenmin Hall -- "Ariadne auf Naxos" (libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1874-1929; music by Richard Georg Strauss, 1864-1949) featuring Waldemar Kmentt, Peter Weber, Agnes Baltsa, Jon Villars, Geert Smits, Heinz...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 12, 2000
Orchestras demonstrate small can be beautiful
The attention of the concertgoing public was drawn recently to two compact but cultured cities away from the well-trodden pathways of Europe.
CULTURE / Music
Nov 5, 2000
Germany's radio orchestras bring music to the millions
The NHK Symphony Orchestra is known to millions for its regular nationwide radio and television broadcasts, and to thousands for its concerts in NHK Hall, Suntory Hall and elsewhere around the country.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 29, 2000
Two chamber orchestras go for Baroque
Johann Sebastian Bach, who died in 1750, 250 years ago this year, has been lovingly remembered with significant performances of his great masterworks throughout the year. Recently eminent ensembles from Europe presented performances of the monumental "Saint Matthew Passion" almost simultaneously here....
CULTURE / Music
Oct 22, 2000
The unfamiliar from the familiar, and vice versa
Two ensembles appearing in Japan recently served as intriguing examples of a judicious mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 15, 2000
Student orchestras show off their skills on Tokyo's top stages
Two important music schools recently presented performances in Tokyo. Both were intent on providing their students an opportunity to perform in a world-class concert hall before a sophisticated concert audience. The differences between their performances were cultural rather than artistic.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 8, 2000
La Scala: Get what you pay for
One might well think that 58,000 yen is an excessive amount to ask for a single seat in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, even for grand opera.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 1, 2000
Tryouts at NHK Symphony: Some work, and some don't
The NHK Symphony Orchestra boasts the largest complement of musicians (113), the most subscription concerts (60), the healthiest annual budget (3 billion yen), the highest visibility (over NHK radio and television) and the most interesting programs of any of the 30 professional symphony orchestras in...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 24, 2000
Grand old men give grand concerts
Hiroshi Wakasugi, 65, recently conducted a presentation of Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream," sumptuously staged by the Nikikai Opera. Hiroyuki Iwaki, 68, recently conducted Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in a brilliant program opening with a clever arrangement by Yuzo Toyama, 69, of...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 17, 2000
Kings College Choir presents a concert fit for kings
Choir of Kings College, Cambridge Aug. 3, Stephen Cleobury conducting in Takemitsu Memorial Hall -- Chorus/organ: "Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden," BWV 230 (Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750), Organ solo: "Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr," BWV 676 (Bach), Chorus: Six Vespers, Op. 37 (Sergei Vassilievich Rachmaninov,...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 10, 2000
Long trip from Kiev to Tokyo justified by 'Pathetique' results
Kiev National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra July 25, Vladimir Kozhukhar conducting in Takemitsu Memorial Hall -- Ballad (Pormbescu), Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, Op. 99 (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75), featuring Atsuko Tenma; Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathetique"...
CULTURE / Music
Aug 20, 2000
TMSO and TPO shake up the mix
Tokyo's symphony orchestras are all engaged in presenting live public performances from the same general body of symphonic repertoire. We expect to enjoy variation in our diet USICthough, not only in meals but also in music. For this reason, orchestras tend to reprogram a work when it can be interpreted...
CULTURE / Music
Aug 13, 2000
Asahina still tall on the podium at 92
Osaka Philharmonie Kokyo Gakudan
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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