Change of Conductor and Orchestra Programs Announcement
The conducting schedule of the Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa for 2018OMF Orchestra Programs has been revised due to lack of physical strength of the conductor. Seiji Ozawa initially scheduled for conducting Orchestra Program A, B and C on Aug. 26, 31 and Sep. 2, 2018, however, all programs and ticket prices are revised due to change of conductor.
Seiji Ozawa has been hospitalized due to being diagnosed with aortic stenosis in March. He is now out of the hospital and working hard to rehabilitate to regain physical strength and the muscles. The rehabilitation is going well, however, after giving a lot of consideration to the progress of recovery and the time remaining until summer, the conductor decided not to conduct at this year's festival. Although he will not conduct, he stays at Matsumoto as has happened in the past years, and attend rehearsals of each programs as OMF Artistic Director.
Diego Matheuz who conducted Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 in 2011SKF, will conduct much-awaited Symphony No.5 at Orchestra Concert Program A. One of the highlights of the Program A is solo performances by 4 great members of Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) in Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante. Program B features popular french programs conducted by Ozawa's fellow disciples Kazuyoshi Akiyama. He had given a great help starting up of SKO. In Program C, OMF favorite Marcus Roberts Trio decided to come and play at Matsumoto on very short notice saying "for Seiji". They will present American and Jazzy programs with Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin as "OMF Gig".
Please see below for more program change details.
Due to this change, the ticket price of all Orchestra Cocncerts are below.
S ￥18,000 A ￥15,000 B ￥12,000 C ￥7,000
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and look forward to welcoming you again in Matsumoto this summer.
Message from Seiji Ozawa
Much to my regret, I am stepping down from conducting Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in Matsumoto this summer. I am deeply sorry to all who were looking forward to these concerts.
I apologize for causing concern, but I have actually completed treatments, commenced rehabilitation, and am now feeling quite well. Unfortunately, it seems that it will take some more time for my stamina and muscular strength to properly recover. After discussions with my attending physician and family, I decided to entrust conducting duties to Diego and Akiyama this summer. Of course, I intend to be in Matsumoto in my capacity as festival director, attending rehearsals and concerts to create the festival together with my Saito Kinen Orchestra colleagues.
As I faced this predicament, my long-time associate Marcus made plans to bring his trio, and arrangements were made to change the program. I am very grateful to the many people who assisted us in making it possible to hold the festival this year.
This was an agonizing decision because I am always so excited about making music with my dear colleagues and delivering it to you all in Matsumoto every summer. However, I have a bad habit of pushing myself too hard, which ends up causing difficulties for everyone. I decided instead to focus on rehabilitation for now so that I can properly conduct again, participate in the festival, and see everyone in Matsumoto under the best possible conditions.
In view of his physical condition, OMF Director Seiji Ozawa will be stepping down from conducting the orchestra programs in which he had originally been scheduled to appear. We would like to offer our sincerest apologies to any inconvenience caused to all those who had been looking forward to his performances.
Although Seiji Ozawa will not be conducting, he is still scheduled to be in Matsumoto as OMF Artistic Director, and to participate in rehearsals for concerts throughout the festival. We wish him the speediest possible recovery and eagerly anticipate seeing his return to full health. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as our performers and staff work together to prepare a festival for your greatest enjoyment.
【Orchestra Concert Programs】
Orchestra Concert Program A
Aug. 26 (Sun) 15:00 Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Diego Matheuz
Duration: About 2 hours (with intermission)
Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, Op. 25 “Classical”
Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat major, Hob. I: 105
Violin: Kyoko Takezawa Cello: Dai Miyata Oboe: Philippe Tondre Bassoon: Marc Goldberg
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op. 64
Orchestra Concert Program B
Aug. 31 (Fri) 19:00 Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Kazuyoshi Akiyama
Duration: About 2 hours (with intermission)
Ibert: Ouverture de fête
Debussy: Prélude à L'après-midi d’un faune
Ravel: Boléro
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 in C minor, Op. 78 “Organ”
Orchestra Concert Program C "OMF Gig"
Sep. 2 (Sun) 15:00 Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Diego Matheuz, Kensho Watanabe (Japan Debut)
Special Guest: Marcus Roberts Trio
Duration: TBA
With a great American Jazz gruop Marcus Roberts Trio who had played 5 times at Matsumoto, we will present jazzy numbers of Bernstein and Gershwin. Also, Japanese-American up and coming young conductor Kensho Watanabe will make his Japanese debut with Saito Kinen Orchestra. The program details will be announced shortly.
Please see here for Kensho Watanabe and Marcus Roberts Trio Profile
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
Phone: +81-(0)263-39-0001 (Weekday 8:30AM - 5:15PM)